– Knock –
– Who is there? –
– Machine –
Seriously, if you hear a knock coming from under your hood, that’s definitely no reason to joke.
What causes the engine to make a knocking sound, and what should you do about it?
It might be a tap of the rod!
This occurs when the crankshaft journals (which connect the crankshaft to the connecting rods of each cylinder) and the bearings collide, which can produce a knocking sound. If neglected, the knock on the rod will only get worse, causing more damage, and therefore, higher repair bills.
Luckily, in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tap bars. Let’s start by examining what exactly is a rod tap
After that, we’ll take a look at what causes rod knock and how much you can spend on repairs to fix it.
Let’s get started!
Trunk Knock? What’s that?
An engine generates power by creating a small explosion inside a series of cylinders (similar to the barrel of a gun). Inside each is what is known as a piston.
The piston is the thrust-like component that moves up and down from this explosive force.
Each piston is attached to the crankshaft via a connecting rod. The crankshaft is a rotating shaft that converts the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion. So as the piston pumps, the crankshaft rotates, propelling your vehicle forward.
Rod knock occurs when the crankshaft journal (which connects the crankshaft to the connecting rods of each cylinder) and the bearings collide.
Basically, the connecting point between the two has too much play, there is too much space between the metal. When this collision occurs, it makes a knocking sound.
Due to the beats on each revolution, the higher the RPM of your engine, the faster the beats.
What Causes Rod Knock?
The most common cause of rod knock is bearing spun, which is when the rod bearing essentially jams.
This causes the gap inside to enlarge so that every time it spins, the excess play creates a tapping sound.
What causes the bearing to rotate? There are many possibilities, which include:
- Lack of lubrication
- Particles in oil
- Oil pressure loss
- High operating load
- Excessive heat
Some ways to protect your engine shaft from knocking include changing the oil and spark plugs regularly, and only filling at Top level Gas station.
Likewise, if you ever hear a ping or a knock, release the gas immediately.
How Much Does Engine Rod Repair Cost?
The cost of repairing an engine knock rod depends on several factors, including:
- How long have you been knocking
- Damage rate
- If it’s a high-performance engine
- If the machine can be saved
The last thing you want is to find out the machine needs to be rebuilt, which can cost between $2,500-$4,000. Or worse, a total engine replacement, which can run up to $10,000 or more.
So, how much does engine stem repair cost? On average, expect to spend between $2,000-$3,000 on parts and labor. Typically, the job consists of replacing seals, gaskets, connecting rod bearings, cylinder head bolts, and flushing the engine and coolant lines.
In fact, if the damage is more severe, you may need to replace some additional parts, such as the pistons, connecting rods, camshaft bearings, timing chain, and maybe even the crankshaft.
Our advice? Don’t Wait
The longer you wait, the worse things will happen.
After all, this is an expensive fix, no matter how you slice it. However, addressing it early, rather than waiting, can quickly become the difference between whether a repair can be made, or if you need a new machine.