What Does Engine Knock /Rod Knock Noise Sound Like? - Watch and Listen! 

Just that simple noise, is the very reason I know how to rebuild engines now from the ground up. That rattling was the inception of my new found hobby. fixing cars.

There is an Spanish traditional instrument named "castañuelas" (castanets) that sounds very similar. Engine knock is "picado de biela" and the sound is "las castañuelas del terror" (castanets of terror)

Bought a car in Holland to drive home 2000km away. Got to Germany, autobahn happened and the exact same noise started. No problem on idling but with some revs knocking just like in the video. Ordered a trailer and had the car transported home just to find that the gasket between turbo and manifold was kaputt. Cant tell if I'm the luckiest unlucky person or unluckiest lucky person 😄

How to find out, is it rod bearing knock or crank main bearing knock?

Awesome explanation, thanks

My 2.5 petrol car randomly started doing this but I’m not losing any oil. I’ve got a bad blow in the exhaust could it be from that ?

I have similar noise when i start my car you hear knocking noise in the engine. When i drive it gets louder then when i slow down you dont hear the noise. Is it rod knock? And if it is does i just buy another used quality engine instead of placing the rods?

Death rattle ..😂

Thank you, someone who actually explains the noise and what to listen for when diagnosing what.

Thank you! Straight to the point and told me what I needed to know!

Mine was caused by a weak oil pump. Didn't detect the pump cause I was running it in town and not much stress. But one time, I went racing against a Mercedes C class and stressed the engine, stopped, and heard the engine making noise like you explained. Changed the crankshaft, one connecting rod, and all the bearings main and rods. Now runs like new

I have such terrible anxiety about this happening to my car because it's so costly to fix. I appreciate the video being so quick and too the point, now I can come back when I'm being paranoid 😂

Changed my spark plugs today after what seemed like a misfire earlier. while listening to the engine I heard what sounded what sounded like rattling with the hood up. First thing that came to mind was a potential knock, not knowing what an engine knock sounds like. This reassured me it was definitely not an engine knock but something just moving around or working. thanks for the video nice and short and straight to the point.

Good video, straight to the point, thank you for this. My engine (transverse DOHC V6, with timing belt to the exhaust cams, and intake and exhaust cams on each head linked by a chain) developed a pretty soft knock that starts once the engine gets up to temp and is almost unnoticeable at idle, audible at low RPM (800-1600 rpm or so) and then can't be heard after 3000 RPM, and it's decidedly at valvetrain pace. It got milder when swapping from 10W-40 to 5W-30, and got louder again once I added some "hydraulic lifter additive", leading me to suspect either something with the valvetrain itself or possibly a form of piston slap caused by gunked oil rings. Cracking open the front head revealed that I was missing(!) the lower chain guide for the cam chain on that head, and that the plastic surface on the remaining top guide had disintegrated. I wouldn't have even realized this was an issue until I found pieces of the plastic guide bit in the oil pan, and pulled up engine schematics to check how it's supposed to look. I've not yet examined the rear head. I've been fearing more substantial damage, but since this car is old but new to me, I suspect someone half-assed an engine overhaul at some point and left some parts out, giving me hope that the noise is just due to a problem with the chains and possibly some debris in a lifter. I've ordered a new set of chains and guides, and will be inspecting and cleaning all lifters and flushing with 0W-20 (and maybe a flush solution) in the hopes that the noise goes away and that the engine isn't on its way out. Again, thanks for this. You've given me some optimism. :) Edit: I also borescoped the cylinders to check for obvious burn marks or signs of valve impact, but I couldn't find anything of the sort.

straight to the point and precise what you need to know , thanks

Short and sweet...exactly the info that I was looking for. Thank you for this info..

great video, plain, factual, straight forward, instant sub, thanks

I have long wondered how a knock would sound differently than an engine that runs rough for other reasons... Simple, now I know. Thank you!

Nice video. You describe the higher rate Main Connecting Rod Bearing Knock from severely worn bearings due to oil starvation and half rate Valve Knock from bad Lifters and Cam wear due to oil starvation as well. But you should include "Detonation" Knock (or Pinging) which is caused when the air/fuel mixture burns rapidly other than from the spark flame front (a smooth flame burn from the spark, and a rapid explosive burn spontaneously from another area in the cylinder - usually near a piston edge). That Knock is a bit more random and is a sharper in tone and duration. Pinging can lead to a hole being blown through the piston, the cylinder, the valves, head gasket, or even crack the head.

Good video any idea what my noise could be? It’s like a metal tick and sometimes vibration while ideling noise comes from engine / exhaust manifold loss of acceleration and terrible gas mileage. Thanks!

This is what happened to my F150. 5000 repair, luckily 90% of that was covered by my warranty.

Thank you! That's what I had this morning in my 2008 MIN Clubman S... at around 1,800 RPMs... when I shifted, it went away, but then again at around 1,800 RPMs. Five minutes later, when the engine was warmer, it went away. I just added 2 quarts of oil because it was really, really low. Great video for a female newbie :)

Hey there! My dad noticed a noise in his car but we can't seem to figure it out.. it only makes a noise when revving and its not a knock, more like a metal shaking noise? We suspect it's from the turbo, maybe some dirt or to much oil in it. It would be great if anyone would help us try and find the noise origin. Thanks!

Straight to the point, the way I like it.

My Volvo XC 90 check engine light flashes then stops, then flashes then stops while driving a distance. Also, i top up coolant every morning but no sign of coolant leakage. Any help please?

Had a knock for a while and just thought it was normal. Switched the spark plugs and coils and now she's doing much better. Thank goodness.

I have the same exact noise on my 2014 seat leon but noise only appears after the engine heats up and only on accelerating. Not sure what that is. Thanks

I was told my problem with 2.4 ecotec was the timing chains and guides,tensioner too, which I had done by a shop ,but I still have this noise which is double knock , which I believe as an old tech, rod noise either large or small end , great video , I think I’ll attempt popping out pistons in the driveway when weather permits ,thanks Roger I’ll keep you updated

I have a 2020 Toyota Corolla with 41,000 miles on it. On my way home from work about a week ago I ran over an object that destroyed my upper and lower oil pan. I took it to the dealership to get this diagnostic. What they wanted to replace it was something I couldn’t afford at the moment. So I took my car to a local shop to get it done. The local shop J.B Weld the upper aluminum oil pan and replaced the lower oil pan with a new one. I get the car back and it’s make this exact sound from the video. My car has been saying low oil pressure off and no. Which I have told the local shop. They then tells me that I need a new engine, but this is damn near a brand new car. What should I do ?

Hi I have more or less the same issue, sound coming from the exhaust and engine vibrate, my car is V6 but when drive it sound live V8

I've got a 2010 mitsubishi outlander 2.4L and there's a noise that changes with the rpm that kinda sounds like a diesel engine(best way to describe it), but only when cold. Once the engine heats up, the sound basically disappears. Btw, the sound was worse in winter when the engine was very cold.

My car has been making that sound for a month now I got an oil change a few weeks ago thinking the sound would go away and it didn't and mine is mine is not a super fast knock it starts slow and then gets faster and when I turn my car off it eventually goes away it goes knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock knock and then eventually it goes away, is that an easy fix at home comment below and let me know thank you very much for making this video

Perfect expectations!! Thanks so much!!

I just finish installing head and oil pan cleaning on my car and i heard this noice after first start i shut off quickly 😂 , is it ok to run it for 10 minutes with this noise so i can determine where its coming from , maybe its lost socket by the fan or something im just concerned about if its ok to run for 10 minutes without making damages.

At first thank you so much for this video which I was looking for. Recently I bought a honda accord 2009 used car. I’ve checked with two mechanic before buying it. They said it is good also worth buying it. After 1 day the engine turned off in a parking lot. After some time the engine get started exactly the same sound from the above video we’ve faced. We tried to move it to the garage slowly the engine keeps getting off and also engine sign popped as well as high temperature and continuous sound. What do you prefer to rebuild or replace the engine might be a good option?

Everyone is telling me my engine is fucked cause it's ticking when idle but it's fine when driving?

Definitely more of a Rattle sound than a knock. Lets call it an engine rattle from now on 😂

FINALLY THE NOISE I NEEDED TO HEAR WHICH IS EXACTLY SAME AS MY ISSUE , BEEN SEARCHING OVER 1 MONTH ON YT FOR THIS NOISE :((( COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IT COULD BE AS I DONT SEEM TO HAVE ANY LEAKS, MAYBE ENGINE MOUNTS?? many thanks in advance❤

Fuck. I’m definitely experiencing Rod Knock.

Awesome video, I was so scared that I broke the engine

Why can't i find just one video where someone says "here, this is a Rod Knock". then "Here, this is a Lifter knock".

Hey MotarCarNut! My 2017 Hyundai Elantra SE started making this same exact sound about a few days ago. I’ve had diagnostics run on it twice already, no codes pop up. No engine light either. My car doesn’t wanna excel past 2,000 RPM’s and you guest ticking the whole time, whether I’m driving 10 mph or 40pmh. Car then stalls out here and there during hard turns or turns in general. Funny thing is, I’m still 1,300 miles early for a new oil change. You have an ideas? I feel like it’s oil related but I’m lost 😢

I heard a knock when i'm step on the gas pedal is it this problem?

My engine sounds same to you. What should I do? Do I need to change Manifold intake? Or IMRC or the lifter or any idea? But sometimes not so loud when running. Give me some ideas. I have a video too, i want to send to you.

Can you let me send you a video of my car? It almost sounds like this but not entirely.

Thanks, i have a kia, known for burning oil. Figured it was low oil because it'll stop making the noise when i add more oil. To prevent this I just add oil near the max capacity so by the time i add more it'll still be above minimum oil capacity. Took me a little while to figure it out because the noise would happen randomly when i accelerate 25% of the time and it'll only last half a sec or so.

Could an oil change maybe fix it? If your lucky 😂

Mine made similar sound, but, it only does that once car is running for like 10 minutes. Also, that sound seems to mostly go away when rpm is over 3000. Any idea what it could be? It’s going to mechanic in a few days, but, I’m curious now

I think it is caused by a faulty crankshaft.

Knock is also used to describe pre-ignition of the gasoline

I heard a knock on my car whenever I steo on the gas pedal

I have this issue. I have a 02 Town and Country 3.8L 107k miles. Just started hearing in the last two weeks. Got a oil change, it needed it but the noise consists. It does it a start, a little at idle and more as I accelerate.

How long can you drive with that noise before the car officially is gone

So much room to work in that engine compartment! Looks like a 2004-2007(8) Malibu or Malibu Classic? The 2.2 Ecotec is a pretty robust engine,.

What if it's not at idle and only driving and I have a misfire

Hey! Thanks for the video.. my car started having this yesterday and kept it aside. Knocking syncs with the revs what is the best way to get rid?

I have a Hyundai Tucson 2017 and it had oil leak after that I didn’t do nothing to the car it been in my garage for almost 2 years what should I do

Thank you it’s exactly what my Toyota Coaster motor sounds like ..mechanic diagnostics implied immediately an injector problem . Quoted over $4,000 didn’t eliminate other problems . I was in tears very upset .Quoted on visual evidence only .As a novice to learning about motors So glad I found this video to learn from and made me more aware .

I had a bearing knock in my dodge ram v8, and It was coming from the right side rear oil pan area but it wasnt as loud as yours; yours is further advanced than mine was, or it has something to do with the kind of engine it is; right away I supected the bearings, and I recently replaced them. They are worn but I caught them at a good point and only the lead was worn off, so I cleaned the journals and replaced them one at a time from under the the engine; if it is left too long then the crankshaft may need to be removed.....

A family member changed their own oil and didn't quite tighten up their cartridge filter all the way in their 2.4L Ecotec which caused a leak. After a week or so it was making some pretty nasty knocking noise, sounded like rod knock. I added about 4 quarts total of a mix of 5w-20, 5w-30, 10w-30, and 10w-40 that I had on hand just to get them on the road and the knock seems to have gone away completely. It's a tough little engine, I expected far less from a modern Chevy product.

How much cost to fix this type of Problem in a bmw 320i ?

I had an ecotech with really bad lifter tick. I thought it was knocking up until I watched this, now I wish I didn't sell that car Great video nevertheless, keep up the good work and content

I have a few questions can you help

I have a bmw e39 and it has a very strong rod knock noise coming out of the engine and the oil light popes up with it can anyone tell me what's wrong with it

My 2015 Honda accord is making a weird sound when completely turned off that won’t stop until the battery terminals are disconnected then when the car cranks up it sounds like metal or something. I’ll post a vid to my account please help!!!

Great video.! Is it expensive to fix? Like $1000… or $5000 ? Or is it worth fixing?

It has the same sound on my 2012 infiniti g37 sedan , I change my water pump and 2 weeks later I got it backc had it for 4 days running and out of nowhere I was driving and started making that noise of out no where , they were telling me it was my motor blown out but what makes the different between a rod knock and engine knock ? What can be fixed and what can’t ?

My car double taps at idle or giving gas could be bearing valve, new to this why im here.

I just got a 2013 Dodge grand Caravan and I hear the knock a friend of mine told me it’s called Rod and then I need to get my into the shop and have the timing would that fix or not or am I just wasting money?

Hey I need help! My engine during drive occasional does sounds like "tudum" and the car feels as if it's stalling, or losing a lot of power for a moment. It feels like it's struggling to switch a gear or something? I suspected knocking because my lambda light came on so fuel mixture problem? But it doesn't seem like my issue is knocking because it's not fast or continuous tatatatat sound.

Thank you! Quick question…. If I have a 2002 Toyota Camry that I know needs a new oil pump and I fix that problem, would it cause that knocking sound to go away???

Thanks for the video, my 2001 tacomas been making a knocking noise only when it’s put in gear. It doesn’t knock in park/neutral.

Hi motorcarnut, I've been having a light tapping noise only when engine is warm on a 2020 Honda HRV 1.8L engine with CVT (14k miles). Noise is heard only in drive, reverse when accelerating slowly, specially between 1000 and 1400 rpm. No noise at idle. Changed spark plugs, engine oil was clean, all levels good. Also I've read in several forums that a lot of people have had this noise from 0 miles. And that honda and dealerships have told them that it's normal. Is not the sound of ticking, it's a tapping noise behind the ticking, it's not loud, but once you hear it you can't forget about it. I have a video of it in my youtube channel and also made a playlist of sounds that are similar. Can you please hear them and maybe tell if in fact it's just a normal noise or something to be afraid of? Have had many mechanics listen to it, the first said that it could be the tensioner and that most Honda's make that noise, that it can't be rod knock sin the car only has 15k miles and hasn't been abused. Another said it could be a motor mount since he used a stethoscope and the tapping noise was heard loudly in the left motor mount but it doesn't have any leaks... could it be the hpfp or just a rythmic resonating noise? No CEL's, no performance loss... i just want to make sure nothing is wrong with my car. I've driving it with that noise for more than 10k miles without getting worse.

I have an 06 trailblazer w/4200 inline six 230000 mies. It is quiet when it starts up, but after a 30 minute drive at freeway speeds I can hear a knocking or loud clicking sound that doesnt sound like metal on metal like a sloppy bearing rattling around on the crank. Any suggestions?

My car sounds the same idle but not when revving. You have helped my worries. Something is wrong top end then haha

Thank God I was hearing like a sound on top I thought it was engine knocking but after searching and found this video I was like oh God thank you because I hit the gas pedal I never heard any of this sound. Thank you very much!

Awesome explanation and not even 2 minutes. Now I know that my mechanic is not lying to me when he said the engine is done and I need to replace it.

Hey, hopefully, you can help me out. I have an 18 Kia Optima LX 2.4, and for the past few months, I've had a very slow oil leak. When I looked under my car while getting ready to do my oil changes, I noticed the oil was spread out all over. At first, I thought maybe it was the oil pan since i swapped it after stripping the old one. But after cleaning up as much oil as I could, I noticed it's coming from above the pan. So I took the engine cover off and saw that it's a bit wet like oil from somewhere. Not a lot to where I can tell where it's coming from. Additionally, for the past month or so, on cold starts, there is a slight intermittent jerk, and the idle is a bit ruffer than usual while the engine warms up. I started it one morning, and instead of feeling the jerk (very slight), I went to my trunk and could hear the jerk and see it as well watching the exhaust pipe jerk. Kinda puttery like, if that makes sense. Anyway, when that goes a way, after about a few minutes, there is a small knock. It's nothing like the one in this video, but it comes out of nowhere after the engine has warmed up a bit but then goes away randomly like five or so minutes later. IIRC it comes and goes throughout the day driving. It doesn’t get more aggressive when I rev. In fact, it goes away, and I can't hear it accelerating or driving, only parked and idle. Any idea? I'm pretty sure it has to do with the oil leaking. Hopefully, a gasket change will fix it. Car drives as usual and fine except kinda ruff on cold starts, but it has like 164k miles on it Thanks for any suggestions

Can the initial sound be from a VVT Pressure Switch that needs replacing on a 2013 Acura Mdx?

That's rod knock. Engine knock is a vague term. You can have a knocking sound from detonation/autoignition which isn't rod knock and may only happens at certain RPMs (or all the time), or if you drive a 93 premium octane engine and put in 87. That happens when ignition is starting too soon in advance relative to when the fuel is reaching maximum combustion too early in the cylinder. In that instance you need your ignition timing to be retarded. Most modern cars have knock sensors that will automagically do that and should give you a code for probably a misfire. Your intake air temperature sensor is the main sensor for determining ignition timing retard. If you relocate it for "more power" and start hearing knock, put it back before you destroy the engine. The incoming ambient air temperature being hotter means it will mix with the atomized fuel vapor much better to where less ignition timing is needed. It reaches max combustion before the exhaust valves open (which is not ideal believe it or not) before the piston starts to return downwards, meaning there is less pressure pushing the piston on the return. On the flip side, if your ignition timing is too retarded you will have less power, and blow excessive amounts of heat over the valves and out of the exhaust and because of that you will developed burned valves and have engine overheating since the heat is being relocated to a spot with less cooling capacity, IE the heads exhaust runners. Cylinders are bathed in coolant inside the engine block, the head has more metal to coolant ratio meaning less cooling. You don't want to be blasting excess heat out of the exhaust ports when it's supposed to be happening inside the cylinders.

Hey man thanks so much for this video, my car sounds like it’s knocking when I turn the engine off after a 5mile+ drive, do you know what it could be? I thought it could just be the fan been loud but doesn’t seem viable

I have this problem on Nissan Navara d40 but i dont undertand you , pls write me what is the problem . Thank you . I am not good for english . Thx

I like your accent. I was still unsure about the engine knock, but on idle, I could hear something sounded wrong.

I just pulled into my garage and turned off my car. It gave 3 of those knock puff sounds and turned off. I immediately turned it back on and nothing. But when i turned it off again. The same 3 puff knock sounds. Now i am worried like crazy because i have no savings to fix a serious issue. Do you have any idea what it could be. Please help.

I hear this clicking sound sometimes when I start the vehicle for the first time in the day, and after letting it idle for a while, say, 3 mins, the sound goes away. This sound is heard on top. Please what could it be? Valves?

It's not an Engine Knock.. That means you're not looking after your valued car..You open the hood now.. however, it's been late.

Hello, I have a knock like this only at about 25k-40k and not all the time, sounds like the crank knock, is that expensive to fix?

Does it start with a mild noise in early stages of rod knock or it gets to that point right away?

What if the noise sounds more like a click rather than a plplplplp

I’m having same problem with my car engine. Whenever I step on my accelerator it gives this sound or sounds like. I am so worried to bring it to my garage where I used to do my service they might cost so much.

Ok. That's not the noise my car is making. It's making a click or tick noise about once every 10 seconds when idling to warm up. Any ideas?

I got the same problem in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know what can i do it.. my car is lost? I don’t have to much money for fix that

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HTBuzLH8aTY.html Hello, there is this sound for about 15 thousand kilometers! Is this a piston click? I put 5w30 oil, still the same. I checked the hydraulic lifters. Engine power is good. It doesn't make any noise when I press the gas, only noise at idle.

I dont know if its quite this but sometimes when im driving in 2nd gear it knocks until i shift into 3rd But thanks very helpful

Ok, sound travels, but often the piston wil colide with the head in case the big-end bearing is gone. So you do not hear the rod vs crank but piston on head.

mine goes away after i rev it high, it only knocks when its idling, any ideas what it could be?

Today this happened my Toyota. Yunkyard basically is next

Mine was low oil from dealer. Goes away when warm. Any type of lubricant to fix ?

not necessarily an engine oil issue. You usually get knocking because you used lower octane fuel than recommended

I thought you were going to talk about knock like when early détonation happens ... Can we hear that though..?