Q: Knocking while idling.

asked by on January 12, 2016

I can hear a knocking sound while idling.

Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The description you have given is rather vague, but it could be that what you are hearing is timing chain noise. This engine is well known for having timing chain issues. In fact, Chrysler even issued a recall for this problem. Timing chain noise is usually worse upon start up and can be described as anything from a rattle to a knock, depending on whether the chain is hitting the timing cover or not. Of course, without hearing the engine this is just a guess. A trained mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose and repair your engine noise.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What's wrong when the alternator is not charging the battery, both parts are new, car Will go dead after driving 20 mins
Your vehicle has a fusible link in the wire harness that goes from the main wire on the alternator to the starter. If you had the starter replaced then maybe the wire was not put on the starter. The fusible...
Oil pressure light and strange noise when I accelerate past 2500 RPM
Anytime your oil pressure light comes on while driving, you should stop driving immediately and have your car checked out as soon as possible. The oil pressure warning light indicates that you have low oil pressure, which can cause severe...
Fuel in oil possible causes
There is only a couple of ways fuel can get into the oil. One possibility is that the fuel injection pressure regulator has a leaking valve and it leaking fuel into the vacuum line. Another possible cause is that one...
No code for misfire?
Hi there. It hard to determine, whether the misfire codes and poorly running are related to the work that has been done. The question would be, whether you trust the repair facility enough to take your vehicle back? If the...
Grinding noise when steering left or right.
This may be a sign of warped brake rotors. As you may know, when you press on your brake pedal, this activates a hydraulic pressure which forces small pistons inside your brake calipers to push the brake pads against the...
My car constantly overheats within a couple of minutes and I've had all of the cooling system replaced already.
Hi there. If the engine takes a little time to overheat, then it is possible that the radiator could be plugged up. If the engine overheats fast, then either there is air in the cooling system or one or both...
Car overheated then died now won't start
Hi There, Depending on how long the engine overheated (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-overheating-inspection) for, this may suggest you have a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket may cause a number of different symptoms. Coolant in the engine oil, an engine misfire or...
Small Backfires
It sounds like you may have a fuel supply problem in getting the proper amount of fuel to the fuel injectors. As you know, when you turn the key to on, the fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement) is activated and the fuel...
Car over heated Putin anti freeze cut the car off now won’t crank
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for contacting us today. Unfortunately, when a vehicle overheats, it can cause a lot of damage to an engine. Without knowing the extent of the overheating, it's hard to tell you why the car will not start...

Related articles

How to Buy a Good Quality Car Charger
It’s It’s probably happened to you before, you’re out running errands only to realize your cell phone battery has died. So now what? This is why it’s a great idea to have a portable car charger in your car at...
How Long Does a Battery Temperature Sensor Last?
Most Most people fail to realize just how sensitive the charging system on their car is. If all of the components of your charging system are not working properly, then it will be nearly impossible to crank and run the...
Industry News for Automotive Techs: November 5 - November 11
Tesla buys Grohmann Engineering, Ferrari's future hybrids, next-gen Dodge Charger and Challenger, Nissan e-Power system, and YourMechanic recognition.