You rely on your Mazda every day. Mazcare can help make sure it’s always reliable. We are Mazda specialists, who focus solely on servicing and repairing all Mazda models. If your Mazda’s engine has started to knock when you drive the car or crossover, we can get to the bottom of the sound to make sure it isn’t damaging your combustion chamber or cylinder block.
Incorrect Fuel
Incorrect fuel will cause a detonation knock in the Mazda’s cylinder block. Air and fuel are mixed in each cylinder to be ignited by the spark plugs. You need the right octane in the tank in order for the fuel portion of the mixture to fire hot enough so that there’s only one firing in each cylinder. If the fuel has a lower octane rating than what Mazda recommends for your model, the fuel will fire multiple times.
Faulty Sensor
There is a sensor in your Mazda’s engine that can detect the knocking sound that the multiple firings make. It alerts the main computer chip, the engine control module, that there’s a detonation issue in the cylinders. In the case of the low-octane fuel, the module cannot correct the problem and your Mazda’s engine will continue to knock until you fill the tank with the correct octane rating.
Lean Mixture
In the case of a lean fuel mixture, however, the module can add fuel to the chamber to heat things up and reduce the number of firings in the cylinders. A lean fuel mixture is one that is heavier in air than fuel. This can make the engine knock, lag, and sputter when you try to accelerate your Mazda. A fuel-delivery or sensor problem generally causes a lean fuel mixture in the engine.
Worn Plugs
As we mentioned above, the air and fuel are ignited in each cylinder by a spark plug. The plugs can misfire when they are worn out and need to be replaced. When they misfire, you will not only hear your Mazda’s engine knock but it may also stall frequently. The plugs can also misfire if there is an issue with the engine control module. It controls when the plugs fire.
Worn Bearings
Finally, you definitely do not want your Mazda’s engine knocking because the rod bearings are worn. The sound that you hear coming from the engine are the pistons crashing against the interior of the cylinder walls. This happens when the rod bearings wear out and cannot move the rods up and down inside the cylinders evenly. This can damage the cylinder block.
Mazcare in Marietta, GA, would be happy to help so ring us up today to schedule a Mazda service appointment.