You can learn a lot about your vehicle – if you just listen. As a vehicle owner, it is important to pay attention to what your vehicle’s engine may be telling you through the unusual sounds that it makes. In this month’s blog post, we review the five engine sounds that should never be ignored. Not all unusual engine sounds spell disaster but if you listen more and act quickly, you may be able to avoid the inconvenience of costly repairs for a vehicle in the shop.
Grinding
There are a variety of places where grinding sound can be coming from in the engine. For example, the transmission is notorious for grinding sounds or it could be from worn bearings or the CV joint. Grinding is usually the result of engine parts rubbing up against each other – sometimes due to insufficient lubrication. If you are not able to pinpoint where the sound is coming from then have it inspected by a service professional. Try to make note of when you hear the grinding sound (such as when you are shifting gears) or if it is constant while driving.
Squealing
Squealing is another sound you typically do not want to hear in your vehicle. It really depends on where the source of this problem is, and it can sometimes be pinpointed by when you hear the sound. For example, if you hear a squealing sound when depressing the brakes, there is likely a problem with the braking system components. But if you hear a squealing sound while accelerating, this could be a sign of a belt issue. Brake issues are a safety concern, and so it is advisable to have the vehicle inspected once you start to hear any squealing. Belt issues should be addressed promptly to avoid a broken belt that will strand you on the side of the road.
Clicking
Clicking sounds are usually tied to your oil level. Some professionals may say that the sound is either a clicking, ticking, or tapping sound. If the vehicle is low on oil, this may be the issue. A quick check of the oil level is a starting point. If you notice the oil level is low, replenish the oil but make sure to have your vehicle inspected to determine if there is a leak somewhere in the engine.
Knocking
Knocking sounds may be caused by the air/fuel mixture in the engine. The combustion system requires the proper amount of air and fuel mixture and when that is off, you may hear knocking sounds. Make sure that you are putting the right octane level of fuel into your vehicle. A service professional may want to look at the timing or knock sensors.
Sizzling
You may hear this sound when you turn off the engine and it is still hot. The sizzling sound is usually caused by a leak of some type as the leaking fluid is burning off on the hot engine parts. This could be leaking oil or coolant somewhere within the engine.
Your vehicle’s engine is a complex machine that will make a variety of sounds during its operation. Being attentive to these sounds and the unusual ones is a good way to stay on top of small issues before they become large and expensive problems.
If you have concerns about any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle, contact the service professionals at Shade Tree Garage to schedule an appointment and vehicle inspection.