30,000 Miles In Two Dealerships Say My Hyundai Palisade's Noise Is a Spark Knock, But Even Cleaning And Switching Gas Stations With Right Additives Don't Help

By now, most Hyundai Palisade owners know this SUV blends luxury and practicality in a surprisingly pleasant way. It’s built to haul families in style and comfort without breaking the bank. But what happens when something unexpected interrupts that quiet, cushioned ride, and nobody seems to agree on what it actually is?

Well, that’s what led me deep into a buzzing thread inside the Hyundai Palisade Owners Family Facebook group. One post from a concerned owner named Danielle stopped me cold. Because beneath the technical terms and conflicting advice was a real, lingering question: Is this a simple spark knock, or the sign of something more serious going on under the hood?

“Anyone heard of spark knock? Two different dealerships have said this is what I am hearing in my Hyundai Palisade,” Danielle wrote. “I did the fuel injection/spark plug cleaning and have switched from QT gas and Kroger gas to BP gas because the service manager said only BP, Chevron, and Racetrac have the right additives for Hyundai’s engines, but it’s not getting any better.

Is this a real issue? Is this a defect with my car or a known issue? Is it going to get worse? I don’t want to get stranded somewhere.

It started at 30,000 miles and I am now at 60,000 on my Hyundai Palisade and it’s just getting worse.”

Let’s break that down for a moment. Spark knock - also called engine knock, pre-ignition, or detonation - is when fuel inside your cylinder ignites at the wrong time, often before the spark plug fires. It creates a distinct metallic pinging or rattling sound. Most modern engines have knock sensors that adjust timing to reduce this. But when the sound sticks around, or worse, gets louder, owners like Danielle understandably start asking tougher questions.

It's Not Just the Gas

Here’s where things took a sharp turn. Danielle followed up her post by revealing that her engine was idling roughly—and that when she checked the oil, it was “bone dry.” Even more concerning, her coolant level was low again, and she added:

“It was just in the dealership for this problem April 1, 2025, and my coolant is low again too! The radiator blew last year. I don’t think this is a ‘gas’ issue.”

That’s not a one-off. Several group members chimed in with similar experiences. Harvey Zook wrote:

“It doesn’t sound like a gas issue. I had my engine replaced at 84,000 miles because of oil consumption. I would never again follow the 7500 miles oil changes. I’m now doing it every 3,000 miles so will see how it turns out.”

Here’s the real kicker: Hyundai's 3.8L GDI V6 engine - found in the Palisade - has had murmurs of oil consumption problems whispered in online forums for years. While not an epidemic, it’s become one of those quiet truths that more owners are beginning to speak openly about.

You might also want to read this detailed breakdown on what happened when a 2025 Hyundai Palisade owner faced a string of unexplainable issues:

👉 I Thought I Was Safe in My 2025 Hyundai Palisade, Then This Happened

Ticking, Tappets, and Dealer Guesswork

Another user, Dave Smith, dropped some serious mechanical insight that might explain the mystery sound:

“What many people do not know is these engines have a solid tappet lifter/camshaft. The top end ticking sound is likely not enough oil on the tappets and excessive clearance. The tappets are supposed to be checked and adjusted every 60k, but the dealer told me they simply go by ear. The actual work to adjust the tappet clearance is not simple.”

This is a critical piece of the puzzle. If there’s insufficient oil reaching the top end of the engine—especially at higher mileage—those lifters can start ticking, and unchecked wear can spiral into bigger issues like camshaft damage. This isn’t just annoying—it’s potentially expensive.

And yet, not all dealerships are equally equipped to dig into it. Smith added a five-step recommendation for owners facing similar sounds:

1. Check oil level regularly. (Don’t assume it's fine just because you did a recent oil change.)

2. Pre-ignition can be caused by carbon buildup.

3. Use a cleaner every 5,000 miles. (BG is highly regarded. Techron is a close alternative and rebranded by Hyundai.)

4. Run a tank of 91+ octane to test results.

5. Advertising
   
   
   

   Scope the combustion chamber and valves via spark plug port.

These are proactive steps—small things you can do now to possibly avoid a big repair later.

If you've ever struggled with mysterious engine noises and dealership shrugs, check out this deep-dive article:

👉 Two Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Noises in Ford 5.4L Triton Engines

It shows just how often even experienced techs can miss what's actually going wrong.

Why This Issue With The Palisade Matters Beyond Just Danielle

This story isn’t just about one Palisade or one sound. It’s a case study in modern engine complexity. Gasoline quality, oil maintenance, valve design, and combustion chamber cleaning—these things all intersect in ways most SUV buyers never think about.

Danielle did what many would: followed dealer advice, switched fuels, used recommended additives, even had a cleaning service done. But if the root cause is hidden carbon buildup or oil starvation in the valvetrain, the knock sensor and fuel alone won’t save the engine.

One commenter, Paul McGahee, laid it out plainly:

“Today’s cars adjust for such things as engine knock. If the user manual says 86 octane is sufficient, then it should be. Run two bottles of Chevron Techron to a tank of fuel and see if it simply needs injectors cleaned… It’s made by Chevron for Hyundai and you can buy it anywhere.”

That gets to the heart of it. GDI engines—like the one in the Palisade—are notorious for carbon buildup. And while some OEMs recommend additive use sparingly, others quietly assume the driver will use quality detergents regularly.

As owners, we walk a line: trusting tech while learning what’s going on under the hood ourselves.

Also, consider this deeper question:

👉 Is Hyundai Having a "Beautiful" Problem With Palisade Sales?

The Palisade is selling fast, but are service issues being left in the dust?

What Can You Do?

If your Hyundai Palisade has a ticking or knocking sound, here’s what you can do today:

• Check your oil level weekly—especially between services.

• Ask your dealer specifically about tappet clearance and if a top-end inspection has been performed.

• Run a high-quality fuel system cleaner, such as BG or Techron, and consider a tank of premium gas.

• Document everything and push for deeper diagnostics if the problem persists. Don’t accept “it’s normal” if your gut says it’s not.

Long-term, we may start seeing more conversations around GDI engine maintenance standards, and whether 7,500-mile oil intervals are really in the best interest of engine longevity.

You may also be interested in reading this:

👉 Hyundai Palisade Doesn’t Let Me Get Inside and Some Dealers Want to Change the Door Handle

Have you experienced ticking, knocking, or oil level drops in your Palisade or another GDI engine vehicle? Did your dealer offer a real fix, or just tell you it’s “normal”?

Drop your story in the comments below - let’s hear how widespread this really is.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Image sources: Grok, and adaptation of Danielle's Image, linked above and used under Fair Use Copyright rule.