Burning Gas & Tapping in the Engine

Fuel Consumption

When you put gasoline in your gas tank, it travels through the fuel lines to the engine where it mixes with oxygen and combusts, generating power, which moves the car. When a vehicle starts consuming more gasoline than it should, it usually points to a mechanical problem. The harder an engine has to work to power the car, the more fuel it will consume. When an engine is damaged or running under less than ideal conditions, it may consume significantly more fuel. If your engine is tapping, then it is not running at top efficiency and your car will consume more fuel.

Engine oil serves several purposes in an automotive engine. It keeps the internal components lubricated and provides a level of cooling as well. When the engine oil leaks out or burns off because of mechanical problems, the engine is forced to run without the lubrication it requires. This can irreparably damage the engine's components or cause warping, the result of contact with other parts or exposure to friction and heat.

The tap in an engine can be caused by several conditions, but most often, it is a symptom of piston rod or lifter damage caused by overheating, a loss of oil or multiple engine components wearing out. More than one of these issues can occur at the same time, causing engine failure. Tapping occurs when metal components come in contact with other metal components. When the engine is operating efficiently, such contact does not occur and no tapping sounds are heard.

If your car's engine is tapping, the only way to repair it is to either rebuild or replace the engine. This is an expensive and typically time-consuming repair. It is not uncommon for a vehicle with a severely damaged motor to be retired to the junkyard or sold for parts rather than be repaired.