My car is in pretty good shape and hasn't done it before but today after starting up in the cold and driving a little ways down the road the engine was making a loud knocking sound. After driving a little longer it went away and I havn't heard it since. just wondering what could be the cause and if it's a sign that somthing may need attention.
2007-02-06 17:37:27 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It might be nothing more than a valve lifter that doesn't get fully pumped up intil warm. All metals shrink when cold so the space between the metal parts in the engine increases. Now with cold weather here the clearances may be greater then they have ever been so you are hearing more noise. You didn't mention the mileage on the engine so I can't really guess on wear parts.
I certainly hope it is as simple as what I mentioned.
P.S. Check the oil level and change it if dirty to as light a weight as the owners manual will allow. Most cars can use 5W30 in the winter. It pumps easier, and more quickly than 10W30.
2007-02-06 17:50:10 · answer #1 · answered by Harley Charley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are describing a condition known as piston slap. It normally only happens in cold temperatures with an old engine. It's not really hurting anything, it's just a little annoying. To fix it would require a new engine, or rebuilding the current engine. So it hardly justifies the cost of fixing it.
EDIT: If this were a matter of pre-ignition, the knocking would get worse as the vehicle warms up, not better.
2007-02-06 17:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by mustang6172 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first from what i read, u think maybe a piece of carbon that builds up on valves and pistons might have came loose? a real knock is a knock and the onlyway they disappear is at the shop so maybe since it quit u got lucky. check on some cleaner for this reason at your local parts store and just follow the directions.
2007-02-06 17:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by moto250r 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its the nut behind the wheel LOLOLOLOL.
Need to know what the heck your driving because some car have things that will cause a knock but will not on another car
Year Make Model and Engine size please then we may be able to help
2007-02-06 17:43:11 · answer #4 · answered by Rudedude 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it sounds like oil. If it is really cold where you are located then
you may have to heavy of an oil. Actually 10w30w is to heavy
in winter months.
2007-02-06 17:48:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I deleted my answer because it addressed knocking which occurs at high engine temperatures, which is evidently not the case here.
2007-02-06 17:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your oil. your oil can be to low and when it is really cold out it becomes thicker and has to warm up to get thinner
2007-02-06 17:43:40 · answer #7 · answered by KJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes it is a car that requires premium unleaded petrol and you have been putting regular unleaded in it..
2007-02-06 17:46:09 · answer #8 · answered by cas 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋