Q: Bad engine knock, what can I do?

asked by on November 06, 2015

The engine in my 2007 Ford Fusion starting knocking violently driving the other day. I was pretty surprised, given that the car has just under 80,000 on it and it is never driven hard. I pulled over and killed the engine. When I tried to start it back up, nothing happened. What would make an engine so low in mileage fail completely?

The 2007 Ford Fusion 2.3l Duratec is usually a very dependable engine with few problems. However, there are several issues that could cause knocking and engine seizure. The engine oil filter in this engine is a cartridge type that has a cover that can get warped if over tightened during an oil change. This may potentially cause a sudden oil leak in which an engine could lose most of its oil in a short period and could starve the engine of oil pressure. The loss of oil pressure could cause the engine to knock loudly and seize up. Another possible problem is that the engine front crankshaft damper pulley is not keyed to the crankshaft assembly on this engine. If the damper pulley bolt comes loose without the camshaft timing gears held in place, the timing between the camshaft and crankshaft will not be in sync with each other. If this happens, the cylinder head valves would hit the tops of the pistons, potentially causing the engine to seize and a loud engine knocking noise. YourMechanic will need to determine if your engine was starved of oil or the timing is out of sync. Either way your engine would need to be replaced.

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

Car shaking
Usually this is related to something out of balance in the wheel assembly but it could be a bubble forming on the tread of any of the tires. Have a certified mechanic take inspect your wheels (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-shaking-or-vibrating-inspection) and suspension components,...
water comes into passenger side while car washing
When it comes to water leaks only a hands on test like you did will tell you where the leak is. Why the leak happens is most likely the body was not sealed at the factory good enough and as...
Alternator squeaking
Hi there. Most of the time if the noise is still there after replacing the alternator it is because the squeak is coming from the belt or another accessory. The belt needs to be replaced and the tensioner checked to...
Filled in regular instead of premium fuel, CEL came on, P0022 code
Hello there, the P0022 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0022-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-timing-over-retarded-bank-2-by-jay-safford) is indicating that the car's computer has over-retarded the engine timing. This makes sense with the 87 octane gasoline used instead of the 93 octane gasoline. The car was most likely attempting to adjust...
Steering wheel locked while going around curve
Hello there, When a vehicle loses power assist in the steering it can definitely be a cause for concern. The 2015 Q5 is equipped with electro-mechanical power steering. This type of system uses electronics to provide the power assistance to...
Adding park assist - 2014 Mercedes Benz CLA250
The car may or may not have the basic infrastructure to support this feature. Most established auto manufacturers do not support "field modifications" such as this for warranty and reputation reasons. Look for an automotive customizer in your area that...
After brake pad replacement, car has loud creaking sound in reverse.
If the rear pads were installed correctly, they will have anti-rattle clips on then ends of the pads that hold the pads toward the front, so the pads do not have movement when you stop when going forward. When you...
I took my car to Advance Auto and them do a check engine light diagnostic test and the code is C0245
Hello. Thanks for writing in. You may have two separate issues going on at once. The speed sensor code is likely due to sensor failure, or a bad connection. In the case of a bad connection, a good visual inspection...
Ignition Coil 5 is bad
Ignition coils can be a very tricky component to diagnose and there is virtually no way to tell when one may or may not fail without pulling one apart and doing extensive testing. Often times when they fail, it can...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford F-250
When When it comes to large, heavy-duty pickup trucks, the 2012 Ford F-250 only has two competitors – the Chevrolet Silverado HD and the Dodge Ram 2500/3500. Though the F-250 doesn’t outperform the Ram in the towing department, it certainly...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Door Lock Actuator
Common signs include unusual noises coming from inside the car door and the power door locks not working or behaving erratically.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars of 2016
Ford F-series pickup trucks, Toyota Camry, and Honda Civic are some of the best-selling cars of 2016 and all deliver on reliability and efficiency.