A noisy car isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but if yours starts making strange and abnormal sounds, you should take notice. Before you shrug it off and hope it goes away, or panic and jump to conclusions, read about a few of their possible explanations and get a clear idea of what you may be dealing with.
Clicking and Tapping
If you hear clicking and tapping sounds which get louder as you increase speed, there could be one of two things wrong: either your oil pressure is low, or there is a damaged part. You can rule out low oil pressure by checking your oil pressure gauge or taking the dipstick out and seeing whether there’s enough oil. If there’s a damaged or worn-out part, you will need a mechanic to investigate further.
Squealing
If your car is screaming like a banshee, you have cause for concern, other than the obnoxious sounds. This is a telltale sign that your car’s serpentine belt is loose or worn. If you keep driving with this squealing going on, the belt will eventually break, and you’ll lose all drive torque and your car will stop running. Make an appointment with your mechanic in a timely fashion, unless you want to end up stranded and waiting for a tow truck.
Grinding and Clunking
A grinding or clunking sound probably signals an issue with your car’s transmission. If it’s a manual transmission, the sound will worsen when you shift gears. This problem could be caused by dirt and grease blocking the transmission. The grinding sounds could also be due to your brakes, so in order to rule this out, check the front brake pads for signs of wear.
Hissing or Gurgling
A hissing sound could mean your car’s engine is overheating due to a problem with its cooling system. If there is a problem with one of the hoses involved in the cooling system, high-pressure air, steam, or fluid may be leaking in or out. A gurgling sound could come from the coolant reservoir. You might even see steam, or see puddles of liquid under your car in the morning. A leaking vacuum device could also be the culprit, and will probably also come with a feeling of rough or uneven idling.
Rattling and Whining
If your car begins to rattle or whine when you accelerate, it could mean the camshaft belt, or timing belt, is badly aligned or slipping. A roughly-idling engine, smoking engine, or low oil pressure could also be symptoms. If you have the right knowledge, a bad timing belt is something you could look at yourself to diagnose. You’ll want to have it fixed by a skilled mechanic, though, because while this problem isn’t an emergency, you could wind up with more trouble down the road if neglected or addressed poorly.
If you notice any of these signs, you are already ahead of the curve and have probably caught the problem in time. Though there is no need to panic, you will still want to get it serviced as soon as you can. Left untreated, any abnormal sound could turn into a problem down the road.
Photo via Flickr by WalterPro | Licensed by cc BY 2.0
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