If you hear a knocking sound coming from under your car hood, it may be rod knock. Find out what it is, what causes it, and the repair cost estimate. It’s better to tackle it early than to pay a fortune later.
– Knock-knock –
– Who’s there? –
– The Engine –
Seriously, if you hear a knocking sound coming from under your hood, it is definitely not a reason to joke around.
What causes an engine to make a knocking sound, and what should you do about it?
It may be rod knock!
This occurs when the crankshaft journal (which connects the crankshaft to the connecting rod of each cylinder) and bearing collide, which can create a knocking sound. If ignored, rod knock will progressively get worse, causing more damage, and therefore, a higher repair bill.
Thankfully, in this handy guide, we will cover everything you need to know about rod knock. Let us start by examining what exactly rod knock is. After that, we will look at what causes rod knock and how much you can expect to spend on repairs to fix it.
What Does Your Engine Rod Do?
An engine makes power by creating tiny explosions inside a series of cylinders (like the barrel of a gun). Inside each is what is known as a piston.
A piston is a plunger-like component that moves up and down from the force of these explosions.
Each piston is attached to the crankshaft via a connecting rod. A crankshaft is a spinning shaft that converts the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion. So as the pistons pump, the crankshaft rotates, propelling your vehicle forward.
What Causes Rod Knock?
The most common cause of rod knock is a spun bearing, which is when the rod bearing essentially jams up. This causes the gap inside to expand so that every time it goes around, the excess play creates a knocking sound.
- A lack of lubrication
- Particles in the oil
- Loss of oil pressure
- High operating loads
- Excessive heat
What causes a spun bearing? There are many possibilities, which includes:
How Much Are Engine Rod Repair Costs?
The last thing you want is to find out your engine needs to be rebuilt, which can cost between $2,500-$4,000. Or worse, a total engine replacement, which can reach as high as $10,000 or more.
So, how much are engine rod repair costs? On average, expect to spend between $2,000-$3,000 for both parts and labor. Usually, the job consists of replacing the seals, gaskets, connecting rod bearings, cylinder head bolts, and flushing out the engine and cooler lines. Our Advice? Don’t Wait! The longer you wait, the worse things will be. Give us a call today at Advanced Auto Care -Vista to schedule your appointment today to have your engine rods inspected by our train technicians.