sinawagner5

Engine knocking sound on Seat Altea

I have a 2013 Seat Altea with a gasoline engine and about 57000 km. I've noticed a concerning knocking sound coming from the engine, especially under load. It feels like I've lost some power, and it's jerking when I accelerate. Plus, I'm seeing some smoke when I really put my foot down. I scanned for codes and there was an error stored. I suspect it might be deposits in the combustion chamber. Has anyone experienced something similar, or have any ideas what to check next?

4 comment(s)

Sounds like you might be experiencing engine knock, potentially from pre-ignition or detonation. Are you using the correct fuel octane for your Altea? Lower octane fuels can sometimes cause this, especially in warmer weather or under heavy load. Also, has the car had any engine tuning or modifications?

I've always used the recommended fuel octane, but I'm not sure if it's ever been tuned. How would incorrect ignition timing cause this, and could piston slap sound similar? I'm trying to rule out the worst-case scenarios.

Incorrect ignition timing can cause detonation, as the fuel-air mixture ignites at the wrong point in the piston's cycle. Piston slap is a different sound, more of a dull thud. Given the symptoms and error code, the deposits are the most probable cause. It's best to get it checked by a mechanic; they can scope the cylinders to confirm.

Thanks for your input. It was carbon buildup causing pre-ignition, just as you suspected. I had the engine professionally cleaned, and it runs like new. The bill was 425€, but worth it to eliminate the knocking and restore the power. I appreciate the help.

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