Will Thicker Oil Stop Engine Knocking?
Car owners frequently encounter the issue of engine knocking.
A phenomenon characterized by the production of knocking or pinging sounds within the engine due to improper combustion.
Various factors, including low-quality fuel, incorrect spark plug timing, or an improper air-fuel mixture, can contribute to this problem.
A commonly recommended remedy for engine knocking is the use of thicker oil.
However, the key inquiry remains: can thicker oil effectively eliminate engine knocking?
Source: (freepik)
Will Thicker Oil Stop Engine Knocking?
The answer depends on the cause.
Thicker oil can help prevent knocking by improving lubrication and reducing metal-to-metal contact, especially in engines with worn bearings.
Yet, using excessively thick oil may increase engine wear due to added drag.
It may not fully eliminate knocking if caused by issues like incorrect spark plug timing or damaged components, sometimes indicating a more serious problem.
How Thicker Oil Helps with Engine Knocking
To understand this, let’s first grasp the role of engine oil.
It lubricates moving parts, minimizes wear, dissipates heat, and reduces friction.
Thicker oil, with higher viscosity, forms a robust lubricating film, cutting down friction, and lessening wear.
During engine operation, oil faces high pressure and temperature.
Excessive conditions can cause “shearing,” thinning the oil and reducing its effectiveness.
Thicker oil resists shearing, maintaining viscosity under pressure and heat.
This enhances lubrication, reducing engine knocking from metal-to-metal contact.
However, thicker oil isn’t a universal fix.
Its effectiveness depends on the cause of knocking.
For issues like incorrect spark plug timing, thicker oil may not help and could potentially worsen the problem
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thicker Oil?
| Advantages of Thicker Oil | Disadvantages of Thicker Oil |
|---|---|
| 1. Reduces engine wear by improving lubrication | 1. Excessive thickness may increase wear due to added drag |
| 2. Decreases metal-to-metal contact, reducing engine wear | 2. Increases drag, potentially reducing fuel efficiency |
| 3. Helps reduce noise in engines with worn-out bearings | 3. Lengthens warm-up times, especially in cold weather |
| 4. Can lead to reduced fuel efficiency and increased wear | |
| 5. Raises strain, especially during cold starts | |
| 6. The engine works harder to circulate oil, increasing the strain | |
| 7. Impact diminishes once the engine reaches optimal temperature |
Source: (freepik)
Will Thicker Oil Stop Engine Knocking? Conclusion
Thicker oil may help reduce engine knocking by improving lubrication and lessening metal-to-metal contact.
However, it’s crucial to identify the root cause of knocking before turning to thicker oil. Consulting a mechanic is advisable.
Thicker oil has advantages like improved lubrication and reduced wear but comes with downsides like lower fuel efficiency and increased engine strain.
Its use should be decided based on engine needs and professional advice, as using excessively thick oil can lead to damage.
Thicker oil isn’t a universal fix for knocking and may not work in every case.
ALSO READ: Will check engine light go off after oil change? Unveil the Mystery
                   Will Spilled Oil burn off Engine?