Engine Making Noises? Read on to find out how different noises can point at different issues.

No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, something or the other is bound to go wrong, especially with all the moving parts. For instance, you might hear odd sounds from the engine at times. It means something has gone awry, so you have to know how to deal with them. If neglected, they could lead to bigger issues over time.

Check out the car engine noises you shouldn’t ignore:

Squealing

Hear a squeal coming from under the hood? It is definitely a cause for concern. This annoying sound is often related to a loose or worn-out serpentine belt – it is responsible for controlling all of the engine accessories, such as the alternator and water pump. You should get it replaced immediately.  However, there are other reasons why your car might be squealing. If it doesn’t come from the engine area, but rather when you apply the brakes, it means the padding is worn out. Get your car to the repair shop without fail.

Knocking

It occurs when the engine makes a distinct pining or metallic knocking sound as you drive – it is called detonation knock. When the fuel and air mixture in one of the cylinders detonates at several locations simultaneously, it causes this sound. It is possible you put the wrong octane fuel into the system, which can lead to this issue. But it could be caused due to lean air and fuel mixture, poor timing or a damaged knock sensor, as well. A distributor cap, spark plugs, or a fuel injector that has gone bad can be a few reasons why the ignition has become faulty, which causes knocking sounds.

Tapping or Clicking

Your vehicle makes a distinctive sound when the oil is low, in the form of clicking, tapping or ticking. Just take a look at the dipstick, and you will know. The issue can also be resolved by adding more oil.  But you need to know exactly how the oil levels went low. It could be due to a leak either internally or externally, as well as conditions where it is being burned up. There might be a valvetrain problem too – in that case, the oil and everything seems fine. Get your vehicle looked at right away.

Grinding

If the grinding is coming from the engine alone, it could be due to worn-out bearings. If this is the case, you will hear the grinding sound when driving or idling.

Loud Banging

The distinctive explosion that reminds you of fireworks is something we have all heard – it is known as a backfire. It occurs when the fuel wasn’t burned in the combustion chamber and escapes. After it moves beyond the combustion chamber, it combusts in the exhaust. When the fuel/air ratio becomes too rich or lean, a backfire can occur.

Hissing

If there is a hissing or sizzling noise right after shutting down the engine, there are chances of a leak. Oil or coolant could be leaking onto a hot engine component. You might see the leak on the exhaust manifold, or it could be harder to find. It could also just be a vacuum line as well.

Popping

A popping sound could indicate several problems like a clogged fuel filter, ignition issues, fouled out or dirty spark plugs, damaged plug wires or a faulty catalytic converter. Many of them are followed by engine hesitation, thus affecting the performance of your car.

Don’t try a DIY fix when you hear weird noises from the engine, or anywhere else. It is imperative to take the vehicle to a repair shop and get it inspected, so the cause can be detected, and solutions implemented accordingly.