Can You Continue Driving with Engine Knocking?
3 Answers
Once engine knocking is detected, you must not continue driving, as it may lead to seizure at any moment, damage the crankshaft and connecting rods, and affect the engine's lifespan. Here are the reasons for engine knocking: 1. Severe piston knocking noise occurs when the engine is cold-started, and the noise diminishes after the engine warms up. This phenomenon is caused by excessive piston clearance or piston deformation. When the engine is cold, the piston clearance is larger, resulting in more pronounced knocking noise. As the engine temperature rises, the piston expands, reducing the clearance and thus lessening the knocking noise. 2. The engine operates normally when cold, but knocking occurs during acceleration when hot. This issue might seem contradictory to the first type of piston knocking. As the engine temperature increases, the combustion speed of the air-fuel mixture also accelerates. If the ignition timing is too advanced, the peak combustion pressure in the cylinder will occur earlier, increasing the force on the cylinder walls and causing knocking noise.
That knocking sound from the engine, like little stones bouncing inside the cylinder, immediately puts me on edge. This is usually caused by detonation, possibly due to using low-octane fuel or ignition system issues. If you keep driving forcefully, the cylinders and pistons can get damaged, and when piston rings fail, you're looking at expensive major repairs. In severe cases, the engine may stall, which is especially dangerous if it happens on the highway. I recommend pulling over to a safe spot immediately to check fuel quality or spark plug conditions. Using high-octane gasoline regularly can prevent this – don't penny-pinch only to invite bigger trouble. If the sound persists, seek professional help ASAP; towing fees are always cheaper than repair bills.
I wouldn't dare to keep driving with engine knocking - that sound warns me of potentially serious issues. There could be many causes, like carbon buildup leading to pre-ignition or sensor failure. While driving briefly might be tolerable, prolonged operation could cause overheating and part damage, potentially increasing repair costs by thousands. Considering the expense of replacing cylinder liners or pistons, it's better to stop and diagnose early. I always keep an OBD scanner handy to check trouble codes, and if fuel quality is poor, I'll try switching to 98 octane. Safety first - don't risk it to save time.
