• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

my car is making a DEtonating sound at idle...wtf?

  • Thread starter Thread starter OrangeMustangGt
  • Start date Start date Oct 30, 2004

OrangeMustangGt

Founding Member
Mar 7, 2002
1,976
0
36
Cape Cod, MA
Oct 30, 2004
#1
  • Oct 30, 2004
  • #1
this is pissing me off, when i first fire it up, and it starts its idle, my ca makes a knock sound at the bottom of the lope. i have the idle set pretty low, but im wondering why its making this sound. as it idles, it makes like a knock sound that sounds like detonating, but just once. also my friends camaro has always made the exact same sound as if fires up, its wierd has anyone had this?maby lean at idle?
 

Route666

Active Member
Aug 16, 2003
1,652
6
39
44
Brisbane, Australia
www.geocities.com
Oct 30, 2004
#2
  • Oct 30, 2004
  • #2
You say your idle is set low, and your friends Camaro does it on startup. Sounds like lack of oil pressure caused, in your case by too low rpm, and in his case, oil drainback.

The oil drainback could be caused by far too loose tolerances in the components (worn) or by a too large capacity oil filter with a cheap anti-drainback valve, or of course, a combination of both.

Try idling it higher, see if it persists. An easy way to check is to just give it a little throttle. If you have an aftermarket oil gauge, it would be even easier.
 

OrangeMustangGt

Founding Member
Mar 7, 2002
1,976
0
36
Cape Cod, MA
Oct 30, 2004
#3
  • Oct 30, 2004
  • #3
ok thanks man, theni will def set my idle higher, its just that my ca has been idling ****ty sincve the weather got cold. What do you think is the best oil filter, and oil, i was thinking ide try synthitic oil, what kind?
 

Route666

Active Member
Aug 16, 2003
1,652
6
39
44
Brisbane, Australia
www.geocities.com
Oct 30, 2004
#4
  • Oct 30, 2004
  • #4
As for oil filter, I have found that to cure the same conditions as you had (except very very bad) I went back to using a genuine oil filter. It didn't even cost any more, maybe two dollars more. The genuine filter on my car (not a Mustang, not even a Ford) is about 1/3 of the size of your standard aftermarket replacement filter, and has the same amount of filter area, and flow.

As for oil, I'm not really experienced with (relatively) modern motors. How many miles on your engine and what oil are you using now? Do you experience any EXTRA rattling at idle when the oil is hot?
 

MysteryMachine

Active Member
Jun 21, 2003
1,835
2
39
43
Parkesburg, PA
www.mysterymachinegt.com
Oct 30, 2004
#5
  • Oct 30, 2004
  • #5
Maybe its cause of them flame throwers lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Random Misfire at idle.
  • Gulftown980x
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
224
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 31, 2026
squeak93
A
Rough idle - cylinder 1 and 6 misfire HELP
  • austindavies935
  • Jul 24, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
738
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2025
gkomo
L
95 gt engine vibration
  • lenzgt
  • May 11, 2026
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
6
Views
222
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech May 26, 2026
lenzgt
L
Ford truck engine swap issues
  • keel
  • Jul 7, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
17
Views
321
Other Auto Tech Jul 13, 2026
General karthief
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
943
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?