Knocking Sound Strikes Ford Escape

Dec. 27, 2021

Some 2013-2015 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engine and built on or before March 13, 2015, may exhibit an engine fault service now message in the instrument cluster. 


Some 2013-2015 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with a 1.6L gasoline turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engine and built on or before March 13, 2015, may exhibit an engine fault service now message in the instrument cluster.  Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P130D may be stored in the powertrain control modules (PCM).

Connect the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) service tool or equivalent to the data link connector. Select the following parameter identifications (PIDS) listed below to determine if a cylinder(s) is exhibiting a pre-ignition concern:

CYL_1_ACCL

CYL_2_ACCL

CYL_3_ACCL

CYL_4_ACCL

KNK_CNTR_CYL1

KNK_CNTR_CYL2

KNK_CNTR_CYL3

KNK_CNTR_CYL4

KNK_RATE_LRND

KNOCK_1

KNOCK_2

KNOCK_SPRK

Record the cylinder(s) knock counts for comparison later in the procedure and after values are re-set

Reprogram the PCM to the latest level service calibration using IDS release 94.04 or higher.

Tighten the 3 generator mounting fasteners to 35 ft-lb.

Tighten the coil to cylinder head ground G111 to 168 in-lb.

Remove all four spark plugs and inspect for micro-cracks and carbon trails. Replace any spark plugs where a concern is found.

Verify that the engine oil level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick and fill/drain, as needed. Note: If the engine oil level is over full, inspect the air intake system and charge air cooler tubes for oil buildup.

Road test, listening for audible engine knock and/or smoke from the exhaust. Drive until the vehicle is at full operating temperature. From a low vehicle speed at a suitable highway entrance, lock or hold the transmission into fifth and sixth gears. While not allowing for a downshift, and starting at the lowest RPM possible, maintain maximum engine load and accelerate until the highway speed limit is reached. Next, from a low vehicle speed, kick down to wide-open throttle and accelerate through high RPM until highway speed limit is reached.

Evaluate the road test. Compare the PID readings from Step 1 to the current PID values with the key on/engine off after the road test. The PID values will have reset due to the reprogramming of the PCM.

Did any of the following occur?

Did the pre-ignition counters increase by more than 2 on any individual cylinder?

Did the sum of the pre-ignition counters from all cylinders increase by more than 4?

Did DTC P130D return?

Was an audible engine knock heard during the test drive?

Was exhaust smoke present during the test drive?

If the answer to the above is no, the repair is complete. If yes to any of the above, further diagnosis is needed.

About the Author

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian | Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of  specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.

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