What Could be That Loud Noise Coming From My Engine?

Picture this: you’re driving out to meet some friends on a route you’re familiar with in a car you drive every day. Everything about this situation is routine for you. Except for the strange sound that starts coming from your engine. That’s very new, and quite loud. Do you need to stop? Is it dangerous? First Tire & Automotive can help you identify some of the more common car sounds to let you know their cause and risk.

Squeals

If your car is producing a squealing sound, it could indicate a few potential issues, all of which should be repaired as soon as possible. If you are only hearing the squealing sound when you brake, your brake pads have likely worn down and need to be replaced, which is not something to be put off until later. If the sound is more general, squealing could mean a faulty steering system, faulty pulleys, or worn belts. All of these are dangerous enough as is, but if not repaired, they could lead to more serious and expensive damage later on.

Clicks & Ticks

You may start to hear clicking, ticking, or tapping from your engine if your engine is low on oil. You can test if this is the case by checking your dipstick, then add more oil as a short term fix. However, you will still want to determine why your engine is so low on oil in the first place, so having a mechanic take a look is highly recommended. Other potential problems for ticking sounds are valve or piston issues, worn out struts, failing fuel injectors, and bad pushrods, so it’s best to have an expert examine your car to determine the exact cause.

Grinding

A grinding sound can be caused by worn brake pads or worn out bearings. If the grinding sound only occurs when shifting — and you drive stick — it could be caused by a worn-out clutch. If you hear the grinding during turns, a suspension or axle issue could be causing the sound.

Popping

Popping sounds from your engine can be caused by a dirty or clogged fuel filter, which is a quick and fairly cheap fix. However, popping can also come from damaged catalytic converters or faulty spark plugs or wires, which can be far more involved. Be sure you know the full extent of your vehicle’s necessary repairs before heading back out on the road.

Knocking & Pinging

Knocking or pinging sounds usually indicate ignition or fuel issues, which can be quite serious. If you are hearing knocking coming from your engine, it may be a sign that you have filled your tank with the wrong octane fuel, or that there is a bad air-fuel mix. Your vehicle may have a damaged knock sensor, or your fuel filter, fuel injector, spark plug, or distributor cap is in poor condition. Any of these could lead to severe damage to your engine, so take your vehicle in to be examined by an expert technician as soon as you can.

Loud Bang

A loud bang is a backfire, which happens when the fuel-to-air ratio in your engine becomes unbalanced. This obviously is extremely risky to both you and your vehicle, so if you hear any of the previously listed noises, take care of them to prevent reaching the point of backfire.

We’ll Hear You Out

At First Tire & Automotive, we are familiar with all of the strange noises a car can make, and the problems that can cause those noises. If you are ever unsure about something your car is doing, bring it by one of our five locations and one of our automotive experts will help you out.