Car noises are just part and parcel of operating an automobile. But some noises aren’t so innocuous. It would be best to overlook certain thumping, banging, clicking, and squealing tones. These noises often intensify whenever the driver takes actions like stepping on the accelerator, depressing the brake pedal, or sharply turning the steering wheel.
Do you hear a squeak, clunk, or hiss? Don’t make the mistake of putting your headphones on and tuning out. Here we have listed a few common car noises and their diagnosis to help you understand when to see your mechanic and which noises are not urgent.
Whirring
If your car is whirring and squealing, you might have a belt problem. Along with its many gaskets, hoses, and wires, your car’s engine, too, has several rotating belts. With time, these belts suffer wear and tear as they circulate at high speeds around an arrangement of pulleys. Replacing worn-out belts can save you headaches down the road since its cheap.
Hissing under the hood
Such noise is usually heard when the engine is first shut off, indicating that something is leaking. It could be coolant or oil leaking onto a heated engine part, such as the exhaust manifold, a vacuum line could be leaking, or the engine could be overheating.
Rattling at low speeds
When you start to drive, a rattling sound that goes away with the speeds can be a loose or misaligned lug nut. You could have replaced the wheel or loosened the nut sometime recently and didn’t tighten it correctly. The simplest thing to do is tighten your nuts again or look for a lug nut gone bad. If you don’t find anything suspicious, it’s time to head to a workshop near you.
Brake Squeal
Another one among everyday car noises is the squealing sound from the brakes. This usually happens because of the worn-out brake pads. Like other car parts, brake pads too have a limited life and don’t last forever. Therefore, if you hear your brakes squeal, you need to get them replaced. Also, get your brake disc examined for turning and get it done if required.
Strange Sounds While Turning
Any strange noise that only happens when you’re turning is possibly related to your car’s steering and suspension. The solution might be as easy as adding fluid to the power steering pump. Or it might be more complicated, like worn constant velocity (CV) joints or universal joints that have to be repaired.
To avoid any further damage, bring your car to a Pitstop expert as soon as you can to have a qualified technician take a look. Tap on the button below to book our service online.
Sputtering
If your car sputters or continues running after removing the keys from the ignition, you may be hearing the effects of “dieseling.” In a nutshell, dieseling is when fuel is ignited by compression alone in the cylinder without the sparkplug’s aid. Although this issue is somewhat limited to older engines with carburetors, instead of newer fuel-injected engines, don’t be scared if you hear a few coughs from your car engine after turning it off.
Popping noise
An array of issues could be responsible for this particular noise, especially if some engine hesitation accompanies the sound. The typical checklist includes ignition problem, clogged fuel filter, worn or dirty spark plugs, damaged spark plug wires, or a compromised catalytic converter, so it’s better to get your vehicle checked by a technician at the earliest.
Clicking Noise
When you try to start your car, a clicking noise is an undeniable sign that your battery is dead. Try using jumper cables to give your car battery some juice, while also checking the wiring and connections. If your battery doesn’t stay charged, you should probably get a new one.
Flapping Under the Hood
When a car makes a flapping noise in the engine area, it’s usually from a broken belt. At times there’s just something interfering with the fan. Either way, you should stop the car and check. Driving with a broken belt could cause significant engine damage.
Rumbling
If your car sounds like NASCAR, especially when you accelerate, there is probably a hole in your muffler. Although holes in your muffler are not detrimental to car performance, they are dangerous since they may allow hazardous fumes to leak into the passenger compartment.
So these were some of the most common car noises experienced by car users and their diagnosis. If you are experiencing any sound listed above, don’t procrastinate to reach out to Pitstop‘s expert technicians. Even if you are experiencing any sound that isn’t listed above, our intensive checklist will cover all your car troubles as we are equipped with the most advanced machines and tools to give the best possible solution to all your car problems!