engine/spark knock

donkeyfish · 05-29-2007, 01:07 PM

My '04 Titan has I think spark knock(30K miles). The dealer says no fault codes and higher octane gas isn't helping. Anyone know if a knock sensor can go intermittenly bad? I would hate to give up my beautiful truck but I hear pre-ignition detonation is no good for piston heads. Is anyone else having this problem?

I also get an intermittant ticking at idle but i don't know if this is related.

Thanks,

Donkeyfish

Fox Delta · 06-03-2007, 05:15 AM

donkey,

strange you brought this up - i just drove from houston to San francisco (via las vegas) and once
i got past Flagstaff i could actually hear the detonation in my truck. and this is at 75MPH on the Interstate
with mud terrain tires. my Nissan sounded like a 70's Chevy with the timing off!!! It was
just the three of us with 02 suitcases and a 40lb ice chest!! somebody help!!!

Fox Delta · 06-04-2007, 03:07 AM

wow - no one else has a detonation problem?? Don't these new trucks have knock sensors?

Jared · 06-04-2007, 04:35 PM

The trucks do have knock sensors and they work pretty good. Also, it's damn near impossible to spark knock at idle so you must be hearing something else. Make sure your exhaust manifolds are not cracked.

CLG · 06-04-2007, 05:09 PM

There was 2 separate issues on the 04 anyway there was a tsb to replace a purge valve that would sound like a knock at idle. Someeople said there was a grounding issue sounded like a ticking behind the dash but was actually the ground wire arcing to the block or something like that a batt. cable from the ground near the batt to the block takes care of that.

My guess is that you have 1 if not both of these like I did very common on the early 04's

spoonman · 06-04-2007, 08:13 PM

So how noticeable is a knock? I just began hearing a knock type noise at idle. Its intermittent (sp?), not knock..knock..knock.. but more like knock..........knock knock.........knock.

HavaTITAN · 06-07-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkeyfish

My '04 Titan has I think spark knock(30K miles). The dealer says no fault codes and higher octane gas isn't helping. Anyone know if a knock sensor can go intermittenly bad? I would hate to give up my beautiful truck but I hear pre-ignition detonation is no good for piston heads. Is anyone else having this problem?

I also get an intermittant ticking at idle but i don't know if this is related.

Thanks,

Donkeyfish

I have the same problem with my '04. I only use Shell or Chev. gas, 91 oct. does nothing to help. I can hear the thing pinging at Hwy. speed. My truck has 77,000 miles but has done it since about 30,000. I had it in to the dealer twice for this prob. they said use 91 oct., then they reset the ecu, neither one worked. I'm going in to the dealer for an oil change tomorow, I will talk to the service guy about it again. I will let you know how that goes.

ablexus · 06-07-2007, 09:15 PM

The most common time to hear spark knock is at partial throttle at low speed (so it's not drowned out by wind noise). If it's at idle or only on the freeway, chances are it's not spark knock.

Andrew

donkeyfish · 06-13-2007, 08:17 AM

Thanks for all the responses. The ticking at idle I think is from the A.C. compressor cycling on. The spark knock is still a concern. I hear going between 40-80 mhp at partial acceleration. I'll check the exhaust mainfolds and the battery cable thing. If I don't find it, I guess I'll spend the money to have a non-biased mechanic run through some diagnostics. I'll keep you guys posted...thanks.

RB's Titan · 06-13-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkeyfish

Thanks for all the responses. The ticking at idle I think is from the A.C. compressor cycling on. The spark knock is still a concern. I hear going between 40-80 mhp at partial acceleration. I'll check the exhaust mainfolds and the battery cable thing. If I don't find it, I guess I'll spend the money to have a non-biased mechanic run through some diagnostics. I'll keep you guys posted...thanks.

Donkey - I'm sorry what year truck?
what is the AFR correction factor that the Consult reads while at idle? If it's above 107% there is one problem...too lean. After tuning my truck with Uprev software I get the same knock at highway speeds under light accel from 65-80 in overdrive. I was able to correct that issue using thier software which is in beta form as I type.

If you want to confrim knock please click my link in sig and listen to the files and make yourself a cheap yet effective audio cable.

RB's Titan · 06-13-2007, 09:34 AM

Oh yeah where are you located maybe there is a Cipher user in your area you can get a data log of your truck.

boya544 · 06-13-2007, 11:40 AM

The detonation that you guys are hearing on the Fwy.Is it constant for a few seconds.Or is it just an intermittent tick sound like wires are arcing?Mine was intermittent drove me crazy.I found it to be the hood stops.(the ones towards the back corners by the hinges)They had rubbed through the paint on the bottom of the hood.I guess on the Fwy when the hood shifted around it would make that arcing sound.I put a piece of electrical tape on the bare spot where the stops were rubbing on the hood.And no more sparking or ticking sound at Fwy speeds.Hope this helps someone.

Fox Delta · 06-16-2007, 08:34 PM

I was having HEAVY detonation on the freeway -- usually while climbing a steep long grade at interstate speeds (75-90mph) and giving 1/2 throttle (or a bit more) but while still keeping in 5th gear.

donkeyfish · 07-19-2007, 01:00 PM

thanks for all the responses but some idiot pulled out in front of me while i was going 45 mph. didn't even have enough time to touch the brakes. my beautiful, loaded Titan is now scrap metal. i'll be shopping again for another titan if only i could find the same kind of deal.

RB's Titan · 07-19-2007, 01:09 PM

Sorry Donkey. Was it a BT truck? How bad is it repairable or truely salvage?