Taurus Engine knocking, what could be the problem

[D22]

The car is knocking so bad I don't even want to drive it.

It is a 96' Taurus LX with the 3.0 220HP duratec engine.

It is at 134k, the knocking started shortly after I got my alternator changed out, but after lifting up the hood and listening carefully, the knocking is distinctly and definitely coming from the engine. The oil has been changed and I even added some Supertech oil treatment. The engine has no leaks and was inspected less than 300 miles ago.

Basically, over the last 100 miles the knocking got gradually worse and worse and now is so bad I am sure driving it is causing engine damage...what are my possible causes and what are the next things I should do for process of elimination?

 

[Demo24]

might want to be thinking about another car

 

[KLin]

Take it to a mechanic and let them tear it down to find the problem. :thumbsup:

 

[CPA]

I think the problem is that you're posting in the wrong forum

edit: ooops, my bad, looks like they moved the auto posts back to OT.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: CPA
I think the problem is that you're posting in the wrong forum

They took out the automotive category.

 

[ed21x]

obviously the timing is off... unfortunately, you have to reset the computer, which is something only a dealer can do.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Knocking is very very bad. Are you talking about pinging or does it sound more like rod knock? Doesn't matter really, both are detrimental to an engine.

 

[Howard]

Were the spark plugs changed recently?

 

[SlowSpyder]

Last time I had a knocking engine I had to get a new engine. Knock is bad.

Originally posted by: ed21x
obviously the timing is off... unfortunately, you have to reset the computer, which is something only a dealer can do.

 

[Drakkon]

I had a tuaurs do the same thing...it was a 98 /w the DOHC engine - started knocking - took it to dealer (was still under warrenty luckly) and they ended up having to replace the ENTIRE engine as knocking in those engines is prettymuch a death knell. I ended up trading it in on a new truck just 2 days after i got it back after the engine being replaced as it ran what i thaught was awful after that - the best part with the new/refurb engine in it the dealer gave me better than KBB on it

 

[OrganizedChaos]

depends on whats causing it...
oil pump failure=your engines death rattle
rod knock=very bad
piston slap=not great but possibly just annoying
carbon knock= not a problem if corrected early, severe damage if you ignore it
to much timing= may also cause severe damage
bad batch of gas= put some premium in it to bring the octane rating back up, your ignition may have a shorting block you can remove to force the timing to retard a few degrees, try it.
valve train= may be a bad sign or may just be normal wear and tear

 

[markgm]

It's American made.

*ducks* *runs from thread*

 

[Vic]

Strange...
The alternator R&R should have nothing to do with this.
You should not have add the oil treatment (snake oil IMO), but it probably has nothing to do with this.
You say the engine was inspected 300 miles ago and began knocking 100 miles ago... has anything happened since then? Did you drive it hard, through hot and really dusty conditions, did it overheat... something?
I think the question about the spark plugs is good. Sometimes an improperly gapped or installed spark plus can have the top of the piston striking the electrode, and can be mistaken for knock or ping.

Could you please describe the conditions under which it knocks? I mean, is this all the time from cold start, or does it go away, or is it only when hot, or under acceleration, etc... ? Is the check engine or check oil light on? How loud is this? Tick, tick, tick, or ping, ping, ping is different from the old Mercedes-diesel-style knock, knock, knock that usually means a spun rod bearing and a toasted engine in a gasoline car.

 

[SeminoleMarine]

****Taurus Engine knocking, what could be the problem ****

The fact that it is a 96 Taurus would be my first guess.....

 

[KLin]

I would take a maglite, put it on the valve covers, and put your ear on the other end of the maglite and listen. See if the knocking is more apparent.

 

[nakedfrog]

There's a good chance it's toast.

 

[Unheard]

You need to find out if its coming from the lower part of the block, or up at the heads. If it's up @ the heads, it could be bad gas, or timing throwing off detonation. If it's down in the bottom of the block, I'd start looking for a new car.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: D22
The car is knocking so bad I don't even want to drive it.

It is a 96' Taurus LX with the 3.0 220HP duratec engine.

It is at 134k, the knocking started shortly after I got my alternator changed out, but after lifting up the hood and listening carefully, the knocking is distinctly and definitely coming from the engine. The oil has been changed and I even added some Supertech oil treatment. The engine has no leaks and was inspected less than 300 miles ago.

Basically, over the last 100 miles the knocking got gradually worse and worse and now is so bad I am sure driving it is causing engine damage...what are my possible causes and what are the next things I should do for process of elimination?

I had a '93 with that engine and it self destructed at 63,000 miles.

Count your blessings at more than twice that mileage and get a new car stat.

There should be a Toyaota dealership on every corner.

 

[SlowSpyder]

144k on the Duratech in my Sable... <knock on wood>

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

I had a '93 with that engine and it self destructed at 63,000 miles.

no, you didn't.

 

[Unheard]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
There should be a Toyaota dealership on every corner.

Where can I pick up one of these said Toyaota's?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

I had a '93 with that engine and it self destructed at 63,000 miles.

no, you didn't.

No doubt. Sometimes you gotta wonder how Dave thinks he can get away with lying so much (and so badly). There was no Duratec engine in the 2nd gen Taurus, those used the Vulcan and Essex engines (the OP's 96 is a 3rd gen). The Vulcan and Essex were pushrod OHV while the Duratec is DOHC. Not to mention that the Duratec 30 wasn't even introduced until 96.

And about his "There should be a Toyaota dealership on every corner" comment, has he never heard of Toyota's engine problems? Like a good friend of mine didn't have an Avalon engine blow at 35k miles due to the sludging problem.

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
Last time I had a knocking engine I had to get a new engine. Knock is bad.

Originally posted by: ed21x
obviously the timing is off... unfortunately, you have to reset the computer, which is something only a dealer can do.

I once had a mercedes that had engine knocking. Replaced the spark plugs, wires going into it, fuel injectors were fine, but for some reason, the engine still kept knocking until I gave up and went to the dealership, who replaced a module that had the software for the computer. The computer controlled the valve timing, spark plugs, etc... and it seemed to have fix everything.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Vic
No doubt. Sometimes you gotta wonder how Dave thinks he can get away with lying so much (and so badly). There was no Duratec engine in the 2nd gen Taurus, those used the Vulcan and Essex engines (the OP's 96 is a 3rd gen). The Vulcan and Essex were pushrod OHV while the Duratec is DOHC. Not to mention that the Duratec 30 wasn't even introduced until 96.

i honestly think the vulcan was indestructable. it has quite the reputation for durability. in my own experience, when i got rid of my '91 taurus there were hoses that had rotted apart and the engine still ran. so, i'm going to call shens on dave even having engine problems at 63,000 miles. transmission? yeah, i'd give him that. but engine? nope. at least, assuming he didn't have a SHO model (though, iirc, the V6s were pretty good, it was the later V8s that had cam-sprocket failure).

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: Vic

And about his "There should be a Toyaota dealership on every corner" comment, has he never heard of Toyota's engine problems? Like a good friend of mine didn't have an Avalon engine blow at 35k miles due to the sludging problem.

Not to mention their supposed new full size truck contender that is destroying engines left and right because of soft cams.