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Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE)Urgency: As soon as possible

Deep metallic engine knock in the 1.3 Multijet engine: causes

In the 1.3 Multijet engine, 1 documented fault may be the cause: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure.[1]

What to do now

As soon as possible

Switch the engine off and do not drive on. Carrying on can snap a connecting rod and leave the engine beyond repair.

What it means

A deep knock that gets louder with engine speed usually points to internal damage, such as big-end bearings worn through lack of lubrication. It is one of the most serious faults an engine can have.

Engine knock: causes in all cars

6 sourcesHow we work

Engine faults that cause it

From most to least important. Under each fault, how the symptom shows up. Check the affected years and versions on each page.

  1. Source for the symptom[1]

How much it can cost

Depending on the cause, repair at an independent garage ranges from €350[2] (timing chain stretch and tensioner failure) to €550[2] (timing chain stretch and tensioner failure), including VAT.

Most serious fault among the possible causes: Critical severity

Other common causes: engine knock

Besides the documented faults of the 1.3 Multijet, these are the most common causes on any car according to the sources.

  • Play in the big-end or main bearings (rod knock)[3][4]Common
  • Lack of lubrication: low or degraded oil or insufficient pressure[4][5]Common
  • Stretched timing chain or tensioner without pressure[3][4][6]Possible
  • Hydraulic tappets and valves with play[3][4]Possible
  • Worn pistons and rings[4]Uncommon
  • Normal diesel engine noise[4]Possible

What to check first

  1. Stop the engine as soon as it is safe and check the oil level with the dipstick on level ground and with the engine cold or stopped for a few minutes; it is the first step recommended by Todoaditivos and RACE.[3][5]
  2. Look at the oil pressure warning light (red): if it is on along with the knocking, don't start the engine again and call assistance.[3][5]
  3. Note when it makes the noise: only when cold and for a few seconds (probably tappets or tensioner), or with the engine warm and growing with load and revs (much more serious).[3][4]
  4. Look for oil leaks on the ground or blue smoke, signs that the engine is losing or burning oil, according to RACE.[5]
Complete guide: deep metallic engine knock

Cars with the 1.3 Multijet engine

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it according to its years and versions.

Frequently asked questions

Engine knock in the 1.3 Multijet: what could it be?

In the 1.3 Multijet engine, 1 documented fault may be the cause: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Engine knock in the 1.3 Multijet: is it serious?

Urgency: as soon as possible. Switch the engine off and do not drive on. Carrying on can snap a connecting rod and leave the engine beyond repair. The most serious fault that causes it on this engine has critical severity.

Engine knock in the 1.3 Multijet: how much does it cost to fix?

It depends on the cause: at an independent garage, from €350 (timing chain stretch and tensioner failure) to €550 (timing chain stretch and tensioner failure), including VAT.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  2. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. El motor hace ruido en frío: qué es cada ruido y cuál preocupaTodoaditivos · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. ¿El motor diésel de tu coche emite un ruido y un traqueteo?RACE · Motoring press · published 22 June 2023 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. ¿Qué pasa si el coche se queda sin aceite?RACE · Motoring press · published 26 August 2020 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Las graves (y costosas) averías que puede causar en tu coche la rotura de la cadena de distribuciónDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 July 2020 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish