Did a search and didnt come up with much.

I believe my engine has a knock problem. Does it on start up mildly and sometimes after hard driving it does it pretty bad. First question does the stock ecu have a knock sensor? Will it warn me it its a problem? (with a cel).

Second has anyone else had knock issues? and what did you do to fix it?

Mods on the car are 15% pully and CAI.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

-matt

 

the car has a knock sensor which will throw a cel and maybe set the car on limp mode if its too bad.

what kind of "knocking" noise are you hearing? can you post a sound clip?

 

Best way to describe it is a light thump, I put my head right over the intercooler and that is where it is loudest. It also sound like it could possibly be a fan hitting something?

Not sure if a sound clip would work but ill give it a shot.

 

Are your motor mounts OK? Thought I would throw that in after the sounds worse after a hard drive. If it does not sound like metal knock ( tappets, rods ) I would look for engine movement or driveshafts.

 

a rod knock will come on at cold start then go away as pressure builds then come back a bit as oil warms and thins . if minor . it will coincide with revs too . if your hearing a loud knock in time with the rotating assembly , it could very well be a rod . hope not but if it is and the crank is good ,you'll be fine

 

Could it be the supercharger? The water pump drive gears? The water pump itself? An easy way to rule out all three would be to remove the drive belt and rotate the blower by hand and feel for anything not smooth. Another one is the belt tensioner. I've seen most of the above make a nasty knock sound.

To answer your knock sensor question; YES, the MINI has a knock sensor, and a very good ignition cut strategy too. If you're getting detonation/pre-ignition/knock, the ECU will pull timing until it stops. I would bet a big wad of money that your engine is NOT knocking at idle.

We need more info on your car; Model year and mileage please. Older and more mileage means one of the above things I mentioned.

 

alright so knock is ruled out with the above info.

Mini cooper s
2004
25k miles

Im going to tear into it soon and see if I cant narrow it down a bit

thanks for the input guys its much appreciated.

 

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

I'm not too familiar with OHC engines, but would there be a way for there to be a lack of oil pressure in the valvetrain, similar to a lifter bleeding down in an OHV motor? If it's a light tapping in the top of the engine, it might be something like that. if it's a deep knock in the bottom, you have a rod knock, and if it's coming from the back of the engine and is clacking, your clutch assembly is loose or out of adjustment. Take a 3 foot piece of rubber fuel line and use it as a stethoscope.