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Your Noisy Car Speaks Volumes
Cars have a peculiar way of communicating their well being to their drivers. And more often than anyone would like to admit, it is through the annoying, odd noise that they make. These noises can range from small body rattles to some major unsettling sensations from the underbelly. As uncomfortable as the noises are, they also give indications of same underlying safety issues too. Here is a list of some common car noises and their probable cause.
1. Clunking when you brake
When you set your foot on the brake, you hear a clunk from the front. While the sound may or may not reach the steering column, you may experience a not-so-ignorable shake. This happens in cases where the front suspension has aged and needs a total overhaul. But when the clunk reaches the steering column, you can be sure that there are problems in the steering components are wearing off too.
What you need to do - Get them repaired as soon as possible.
2. Clunking when you shift gears
When you change gears, there is a slight hesitation that is followed by a clunking sound. This may happen in both automatic and manual transmission. This noise could come from either the front or back of your car. The probable cause for this could be the worn out CV joints.
What you need to do - Get the CV joints replaced, and check and adjust the engine's idle speed.
3. Sharp thud while you accelerate
This noise comes almost every time you accelerate and is accompanied by a small jerk. Occasionally, you can feel the noise coming from the body of the car. The noise, eventually, gets worse over a period of time. Cause for this is fading or breaking of the shock absorbers and the mounts. If the sound comes when you make sharp turns, then there are chances that that part of the exhaust is broken.
What you need to do - Replace the shock absorbers.
4. Loud Noise from the exhaust
When you increase the revs, a loud noise, that is usually higher than the usual, is heard. While it is not the indication of a problem if yours is a sports car, it might indicate a problem in case of a normal car. This problem is caused by a leak in the exhaust system. This needs you attention because it reduces the power delivery and increases pollution levels.
What you need to do - Get the exhaust replaced.
5. Popping and clicking noise
Irregular fuel and air supply may cause your car engine, even though it has warmed up, to emit a popping noise whenever you step on the accelerator. Other symptoms are: your car feels unusually slow and low power delivery. This problem may appear suddenly and get worse eventually.
What you need to do - Get the air filters and spark plus checked and replaced, if need be.
6. Ticking noise from the engine
You hear a ticking noise as soon as you start the car. You may find the noise to be similar to that of a loud clock. And as the engine picks up speed, the ticking noise grows worse. This, usually, is a case of unadjusted valves. This noise could also be because of sludge in the engine.
What you need to do - Get the valves adjusted or replace the hydraulic lifters replaced. Additionally, you can also get the engine flushed.
7. Hissing noise from the engine
This noise becomes more obvious after you notice problems in the engine running properly. This happens, in most cases, due to overheating of the engine.
What you need to do - Stop the car immediately and let the engine cool.
1. Clunking when you brake
When you set your foot on the brake, you hear a clunk from the front. While the sound may or may not reach the steering column, you may experience a not-so-ignorable shake. This happens in cases where the front suspension has aged and needs a total overhaul. But when the clunk reaches the steering column, you can be sure that there are problems in the steering components are wearing off too.
What you need to do - Get them repaired as soon as possible.
2. Clunking when you shift gears
When you change gears, there is a slight hesitation that is followed by a clunking sound. This may happen in both automatic and manual transmission. This noise could come from either the front or back of your car. The probable cause for this could be the worn out CV joints.
What you need to do - Get the CV joints replaced, and check and adjust the engine's idle speed.
3. Sharp thud while you accelerate
This noise comes almost every time you accelerate and is accompanied by a small jerk. Occasionally, you can feel the noise coming from the body of the car. The noise, eventually, gets worse over a period of time. Cause for this is fading or breaking of the shock absorbers and the mounts. If the sound comes when you make sharp turns, then there are chances that that part of the exhaust is broken.
What you need to do - Replace the shock absorbers.
4. Loud Noise from the exhaust
When you increase the revs, a loud noise, that is usually higher than the usual, is heard. While it is not the indication of a problem if yours is a sports car, it might indicate a problem in case of a normal car. This problem is caused by a leak in the exhaust system. This needs you attention because it reduces the power delivery and increases pollution levels.
What you need to do - Get the exhaust replaced.
5. Popping and clicking noise
Irregular fuel and air supply may cause your car engine, even though it has warmed up, to emit a popping noise whenever you step on the accelerator. Other symptoms are: your car feels unusually slow and low power delivery. This problem may appear suddenly and get worse eventually.
What you need to do - Get the air filters and spark plus checked and replaced, if need be.
6. Ticking noise from the engine
You hear a ticking noise as soon as you start the car. You may find the noise to be similar to that of a loud clock. And as the engine picks up speed, the ticking noise grows worse. This, usually, is a case of unadjusted valves. This noise could also be because of sludge in the engine.
What you need to do - Get the valves adjusted or replace the hydraulic lifters replaced. Additionally, you can also get the engine flushed.
7. Hissing noise from the engine
This noise becomes more obvious after you notice problems in the engine running properly. This happens, in most cases, due to overheating of the engine.
What you need to do - Stop the car immediately and let the engine cool.
8. Squealing Noise under the hood
When you start the engine, a loud noise emanates from under hood. While it may not happen every time, it may happen rather randomly. This happens because of a worn-out timing belt.
What you need to do - Get the belt replaced immediately because if it snaps, the engine just won't start.
9. Whirring noise from the engine
The engine makes loud whirring noises as the rpm increases. This noise may become worse, over time, or may not. However, it should get your immediate attention. The possible causes for this are low power steering fluid or faulty water pump.
What you need to do - Get the power steering pump checked and replaced, if needed.
10. Gnashing from the Engine
The engine makes a clunking noise as you press the accelerator. The noise is there regardless of whether the car is at neutral or in gear. Usually this problem is ignorable but it gets worse and louder with the passage of time. Causes for this could be worn engine bearings, or broken engine parts or loose power steering pump or AC compressor.
What you need to do - Tighten the bolts inside the engine bay.
11. Squealing noise from the Brakes
When you apply the brake, you hear a squeal. It could either come from the front or the back of your car. It is also accompanied, sometimes, by a pull to one side. Simple reason for this is the dampening of the brake pads or dirt accumulation on the brake rotors, drums, pads or shoes.
What you need to do - Get the brake rotors, drums, pads or shoes cleaned.
12. Scraping sound when applying the brakes
When you apply the brakes, you hear a scraping sound. The problem, as with many others, gets worse by each passing day. As the problem gets worse, the sound becomes unbearable. Again it is a case of worn out brake pads and brake shoes. Another reason could be a bad rear drum brake wheel cylinder.
What you need to do - Replace the brake shoes/pads. Also replace the rear wheel cylinder.
13. Whining noise from the gearbox
Whenever you move forward or reverse, you come across a whining noise emanating from the car. The noise is not apparent when the car is in 'park' or neutral mode. The reason could be low levels of transmission fluid.
What you need to do - Fill the transmission fluid to the optimum level.
14. Noise from the Windshield Wipers
As the wipers move across the windshield, they make a squealing noise. The reason could be the wiper blades are too hard.
What you need to do - Replace the wiper blades
15. Clicking noise while making a sharp turn
Everything with your car is fine, yet, it makes a clicking sound from the side of the car, when you turn around a sharp corner. In its earlier stages, the problem may go unnoticed, but as it gets worse, the noise becomes more disturbing. Possible causes for this are loose or broken brake pads or shoes or loose front wheel bearings.
What you need to do - Get the brake pads/shoes or front wheel bearings checked.
When you start the engine, a loud noise emanates from under hood. While it may not happen every time, it may happen rather randomly. This happens because of a worn-out timing belt.
What you need to do - Get the belt replaced immediately because if it snaps, the engine just won't start.
9. Whirring noise from the engine
The engine makes loud whirring noises as the rpm increases. This noise may become worse, over time, or may not. However, it should get your immediate attention. The possible causes for this are low power steering fluid or faulty water pump.
What you need to do - Get the power steering pump checked and replaced, if needed.
10. Gnashing from the Engine
The engine makes a clunking noise as you press the accelerator. The noise is there regardless of whether the car is at neutral or in gear. Usually this problem is ignorable but it gets worse and louder with the passage of time. Causes for this could be worn engine bearings, or broken engine parts or loose power steering pump or AC compressor.
What you need to do - Tighten the bolts inside the engine bay.
11. Squealing noise from the Brakes
When you apply the brake, you hear a squeal. It could either come from the front or the back of your car. It is also accompanied, sometimes, by a pull to one side. Simple reason for this is the dampening of the brake pads or dirt accumulation on the brake rotors, drums, pads or shoes.
What you need to do - Get the brake rotors, drums, pads or shoes cleaned.
12. Scraping sound when applying the brakes
When you apply the brakes, you hear a scraping sound. The problem, as with many others, gets worse by each passing day. As the problem gets worse, the sound becomes unbearable. Again it is a case of worn out brake pads and brake shoes. Another reason could be a bad rear drum brake wheel cylinder.
What you need to do - Replace the brake shoes/pads. Also replace the rear wheel cylinder.
13. Whining noise from the gearbox
Whenever you move forward or reverse, you come across a whining noise emanating from the car. The noise is not apparent when the car is in 'park' or neutral mode. The reason could be low levels of transmission fluid.
What you need to do - Fill the transmission fluid to the optimum level.
14. Noise from the Windshield Wipers
As the wipers move across the windshield, they make a squealing noise. The reason could be the wiper blades are too hard.
What you need to do - Replace the wiper blades
15. Clicking noise while making a sharp turn
Everything with your car is fine, yet, it makes a clicking sound from the side of the car, when you turn around a sharp corner. In its earlier stages, the problem may go unnoticed, but as it gets worse, the noise becomes more disturbing. Possible causes for this are loose or broken brake pads or shoes or loose front wheel bearings.
What you need to do - Get the brake pads/shoes or front wheel bearings checked.
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