Jeep Wrangler Engine Knocking Noise When Accelerating: Why & How to Fix
After driving the Jeep Wrangler for about 100k to 200k miles, it’ll likely appear with some issues. Sometimes, the engine fails to produce enough power, and you get idling. Apart from that, different engine sounds might be there for damaged engine parts.
Such an issue is the Jeep Wrangler engine knocking sound when accelerating. It happens if the U joint cap or driveshaft is damaged or broken. Besides, the faulty engine mount and the entire rolling system may create that knocking noise whenever you accelerate the Jeep Wrangler from a stop.
Luckily, these issues come with separate solutions. Today, I’ll cover all the related problems & their solutions. There’ll be some query & answer sections. So, keep going and sort out the knocking problem.
5 Reasons & Solutions for jeep Wrangler Engine Knocking Noise
The engine knocking noise is something that you can only ignore for a while. Though you can drive with a knocking sound, this might further damage your jeep motor. That’s why you should only drive for a short time with the knocking engine noise.
Whenever you hear that sound, you should check five different engine parts since they all are responsible for creating that noise. You may consider the exact reasons for the Wrangler TJ Knocking sound when accelerating.
Let’s get through this video and sort out the knocking sound.
Damaged u Joint Cap
Worn out U joint Cap might be the first reason to get an engine knocking noise. Using the same Joint cap (rear cap) for years will wear out daily. Especially if you drive the jeep for 200k miles with the same Joint cap, you get the worn-out metal there. When you press on the accelerator, it’ll give you a knocking sound.
Sometimes, the joint cap might get damaged; eventually, it’ll be broken and fail to do its job. As a result, you may face some other issues and a loud knocking sound.
Solution
The best solution for the worn-out U Joint Cap is to change the existing one. Enough lubrication and proper maintenance might repair only a slightly worn-out U Cap. If you get jeep jk clunking noise when accelerating from stop, you may also follow these solutions.
Faulty Driveshaft
The front & rear driveshafts of the Jeep Wrangler are supposed to connect the U-cap to the transmission system. Eventually, they help to pass the power from the Jeep engine to the wheels. However, this Jeep part might get damaged due to overuse and poor maintenance. They might be broken or poorly damaged.
Consequently, they can’t create that connection between the wheels and the engine transmission system. When you accelerate the Jeep Wrangler, you get a knocking sound. That’s the apparent reason for most Jeep users unless they keep track of their driveshafts and repair them timely.
Solution
Regular maintenance may reduce the wearing and help get extra miles from the same driveshafts. What if they are broken, and you’ve already driven for 200k miles? Don’t go for further repairs. It’s time to replace old and broken driveshafts with a new pair.
Cracked or broken Engine Mount
The engine mount is another crucial part that holds your engine and transmission system together. Though bolts and nuts are there to hold them tightly, you should always keep the engine mount tight enough. Even it must be dust free and get enough lubrication to work properly.
Sometimes, the engine mount may fail to keep the engine and the transmission system together. Especially, when you use the same mount for 200k to 300k miles, it’s common to get a broken engine mount. That’s another reason for getting the knocking sound when you accelerate. Mainly, the engine gets extra space to move and touches the mount now and then. As a result, you get a knocking or clunking noise.
Solution
You’ve two choices. First, try to repair the damaged engine mount to limit the cost. Then, go for a direct replacement. You should never use the repair option if you find a rusty and broken engine mount. Instead, replacement would be the best choice.
Bouncing Rolling Elements
What if you don’t get the damaged engine parts but still get the knocking sound? It happens for the bouncing rolling system. Mainly, the rolling system gets loosened or worn out, creating a knocking sound. But the question is how the rolling elements create that sound when accelerating.
You start the engine and press on the accelerator. Then what? The broken or worn-out rolling metals will touch the window metal and other parts. That’s how the bouncing rolling elements create the knocking sound when you accelerate your Jeep Wrangler.
Solution
Check if you find loose nuts or bolts in the window rolling system. The nuts and bolts may be worn out and need replacement. Remember to check all other parts and get a sound-rolling system.
Carbon Deposit in Combustion Chamber
Often, the combustion chamber might create a knocking sound while accelerating the Jeep engine. It happens for carbon deposits. The unburnt fuel may thicken the internal chambers and nozzles. As a result, you get the knocking sound whenever you speed up the Jeep Wrangler.
Solution
If you don’t get anything wrong with all other parts and only get a thick layer of carbon deposit, you may deep clean the chambers and get rid of that knocking engine sound.
If you want to know about the Jeep 3.6l Pentastar engine, read this article.
How to Solve Rattling & Clunking Noise When Accelerating?
Apart from that knocking sound, you may get a rattling & clunking noise when accelerating. For these, you should follow the below solutions and get rid of them too.
Jeep Wrangler Engine Rattle When Accelerating
Engine rattling sound is mainly heard from the loose nuts & bolts. So, go through all the engine parts and try to get the loosen parts. As soon as you find loose nuts, tighten that too. It must sort out the rattle sound.
Jeep Wrangler Clunking Noise When Accelerating
Damaged or worn-out bushings and rubber metals create the Jeep Wrangler clunking noise when accelerating. Go through the metal parts and rubbers. It’s better to change the worn-out metals and rubbers whenever you find them.
Do you want to get the solution for the Jeep Wrangler engine clicking sound? All the possible problems and solutions are there.
People Also Ask
Why Does My jeep Wrangler Create Knocking Sound When Accelerating?
Damaged U Joint Cap, faulty Drive Shafts, and other metals and rubbery things are responsible for creating a knocking sound when accelerating.
What’s the Reason for Getting Jeep Wrangler Rattling Noise?
The rattling noise is mainly for the loose rubbery, or metal parts. It could be a single bolt detached from the engine, creating that rattling sound.
Is It Safe to Go with Knocking & Rattling Noise?
Though it’s not recommended to drive with knocking & rattling engine noise, you may drive to the next auto shop. A rattling sound might indicate something coming off the engine.
Is Damaged Spark Plug Creating Knocking Sound?
The damaged spark plug may create a knocking sound until it’s worn out. There’s a chance of getting a loud knocking engine sound for the spark plug.
Closing Words
The Jeep Wrangler Engine Knocking Noise When Accelerating is a common incident for Jeep users. Especially when driving for 200k to 300k miles, you should get ready to hear the knocking sound. Check the engine’s loose parts and get through the entire engine.
Regular maintenance would be the best solution for getting rid of the engine’s rattling & knocking sound.
