Why is my Kia Sportage engine making a loud knocking noise?

I recently noticed that my Kia Sportage's engine has started making a loud knocking noise. It only happens when the engine is cold, but it goes away as soon as the car warms up. What could be causing this and should I be worried?

This could be a sign of an engine problem, such as worn bearings or a faulty cylinder. It's important to get this checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible before it leads to more serious damage to your engine.

I had the same issue with my Kia Sportage and it turned out to be a problem with the timing chain tensioner. It's recommended to get this fixed immediately as it could cause major engine damage if left untreated.

It's possible that your Kia Sportage just needs an oil change. Sometimes dirty oil can cause knocking noises in the engine. Try getting an oil change and see if that improves the noise.