After my last tune I asked my tuner to install Tephra v7 and enable flash CEL on knock so I could know if my engine was knocking or not. Well it's knocking, a lot. The CEL will flash almost always if I go wot or close to wot, but it will also flash under medium and even very light acceleration on occasion.

I talked to my tuner about it and he tried to blame it on engine vibrations since one of my balance shafts is out of phase, but this problem happens at all different RPM's which leads me to think it's not a vibration issue.

Another problem which has been getting worse lately is a sudden loud click or tap, which sounds similar to running over a plastic water bottle coming from the engine bay. This sometimes happens at the same time the CEL is flashing.

What steps should I take towards resolving this, and how important is it to have the 2nd balance shaft in pahse? I was going to wait until the next timing belt service to do it.

 

i just had the same exact problem. my cel starting flashing then it started flashing sooner and sooner each time. i changed plugs took it for a pull and then my motor let go. i found my issue, why it happened idk, but my piston chunked out.
all i can figure it was fatigue due to nearly 100kand my cars past owners. i would stop driving it if i were you and get a camera in your cylinders to make sure things are good there. maybe you have detonation/ preignition?

 

I am and did go through some of this issue. First I would stop driving it or baby it till you get that b-shaft realigned.

My car had the CEL flashing also, not sure if mine was setup for knock lights or if it was thinking it had a misfire but my problem was my knock sensor was never hooked up when the motor was installed, reconnected and gained a whole ton of power and CEL stopped flashing. Mine started making a noise too, it was either the rod bearing or wristpin. Check out youtube to help diagnose yours. If you can hear it by revving it under the hood you can pull the plug wire, rev it and if it went away then its prob the wrist pin or maybe rod bearing (no explosion to push the piston down and make the sound) but at least can narrow it down to what cylinder