Sometimes, a carbon knock will sound just like a rod knock. It will sound like it's ready to throw a rod. I can't even count how many times I have fixed this with about half a bottle of transmission fluid. Start the engine; remove the air cleaner; rev the engine up to about 2500 rpm and start slowly pouring the transmission fluid down the carburetor throat. Don't let the engine die. (if it does, you might have to pull & clean the plugs, then resume the procedure). Pour the xmf fast enough to lug the engine down. Voila -- no more knock. Gone for good. This apparently happens when a little piece of carbon breaks off inside one of the cylinders or something..... but I've fixed 'em numerous times this way when I thought I had lost a rod bearing. --Brooks in Dallas