The sound of a finely tuned engine can be music to the ears, but once you hear that strange rattle or clinking noise, the music stops. When your engine makes noises that you don’t usually hear, it can be a sign of problems under your hood or beneath your car.
Different sounds can mean different problems, and I found a great listing on a site while I was researching this topic and I want to share it with you:
- A squeal or shrill sharp noise could mean a worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt.
- A click or slight sharp noise related to speed could mean a loose wheel cover, bent fan blade, stuck valve lifter, or low engine oil.
- A high pitched screech or metallic sound that occurs when the car is in motion could be caused by brake wear indicators letting you know it’s time for maintenance.
- A low-pitched, rhythmic rumble could be a defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler, as well as a universal joint or drive-line component.
- A ping metallic taping sound related to engine speed is usually caused by using gas with a lower octane than recommended. It could also be the engine ignition timing.
- A heavy knock and rhythmic pounding could be a worn crankshaft, connecting rod bearings, or loose transmission torque converter.
- A clunk or random thumbing could be a loose shock absorber, exhaust pipe, muffler or other suspension component.
Make sure that you get any of those sounds checked out with your service shop to make sure you get a fix to your problem.
2 Responses to Maintenance Tips: 7 Sounds You Should Know