If you open the hood and run the engine, but the sound isn’t coming from above, your vehicle might actually have a different problem like lifter tick or piston slap. Your vehicle may have rod knock if the check engine light comes on, especially after a few minutes of driving. If you’ve got your vehicle up on ramps and you’ve drained the oil, replace the filter and oil. This can help stabilize the rods until you can get your vehicle to a mechanic.
The earlier you fix the rod knock, the better! Servicing your vehicle immediately can prevent further engine damage.
The mechanic can also assess if there’s damage to the crankshaft, the connecting rods, or the entire engine block. Your mechanic should also determine why the crankshaft and rod bearings weren’t getting enough engine oil—the oil could be leaking from somewhere in the fuel pathway or the bearings might not fit properly for instance. A mechanic might recommend that you clean the fuel-injection system if your vehicle’s got shimmery particles in the old oil. The injector cleaner is basically a solvent that can dissolve grime in your vehicle’s fuel pathways.
If the sound is actually not rod knock, but lifter tick, an oil change might solve the problem. [7] X Research source If the rod knock continues, internal engine work might be required, which is not typically a DIY situation.
Instead, make your way to a garage where you or a mechanic can inspect the bearings and fix the cause of your vehicle’s rod knock.
