Car Engine Making a Ticking Noise

Table of Contents

Summary

  • An engine starts making weird noises when some of its components fail or begin to fail.
  • Ticking noise is one of the prevalent noises among these sounds.
  • There are several possible causes for ticking noise, including noisy lifters; worn-out piston arm and end bearings; bad crankshaft and fuel injectors, hydraulic lifters, rod bearings; low oil.
  • In most cases, one can eliminate this noise by replacing the faulty component.
  • The average cost for getting rid of tickling noise may range from $300-$5000, depending on the nature of the cause.

 

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Introduction

The engine is made up of many parts. When these parts go bad, the engine starts making different sounds. The engine’s sound indicates something is wrong with the engine components. A ticking noise is one of these sounds, suggesting that the engine has some worn-out or broken mechanical component.

The following paragraphs will explore the causes of engine making ticking noise and their possible solutions.

Possible Causes of Engine Ticking & Solutions

Various things can cause the ticking noise from the engine. The following are some of the significant reasons and their solutions.

Noisy Lifters

The noise is usually caused by the lifters, which are small metal plates in the engine that push up on the camshaft to open and close the valves. The noise is caused when the lifter doesn’t pump up quickly enough to keep up with the cam lobe. This causes the rocker arm to tap on the top of the valve, creating a ticking sound. There are several possible causes for noisy lifters, including insufficient oil, worn-out lifters, and carbon buildup on the valvetrain.

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Solution

The engine should be serviced with an oil change and proper valve adjustment to fix the problem. If the noise persists, the lifters should be replaced.

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On average, it costs between $1000 to $2500 to fix a lifter depending on factors like production year and vehicle model.
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Piston Arm

The ticking noise is usually caused by the piston arms slapping against the cylinder walls as they move up and down in the cylinder. This is caused by wear on the piston arms or piston rings. If the piston arms are worn, they will not seal correctly against the cylinder walls and cause a ticking noise. If the piston rings have gone bad, they will not create a proper seal against the cylinder walls, allowing air and oil to leak past them and causing the ticking noise.

Solution

If worn-out piston arms or rings cause the ticking noise, they need to be replaced as they cannot be repaired.

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Big End Bearing

Ticking noises from car engines are usually caused by a worn-out big-end bearing located at the big end of the piston’s connecting rod to connect it to the crankshaft. When the bearing gets damaged, the connecting rod starts knocking around the crankshaft, producing a ticking noise. This noise usually gains pace with the increase in acceleration.

Solution

If it is diagnosed that the bearing has been worn off, replacing it may help eliminate the ticking noise.

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If you hear a rod knocking, you should turn off the engine immediately because driving with a knocking rod will eventually blow the engine, and you will be stuck somewhere.

Crankshaft

A lousy crankshaft can cause a ticking noise in an engine. The crankshaft is an essential component of the engine, as it converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotational motion, which is used to power the vehicle. A bad crankshaft can cause a ticking noise as the shaft cannot move smoothly, creating a ticking sound as it rocks back and forth. This noise can be caused by various issues, ranging from damaged bearings to excessive wear and tear. If the ticking noise is present, it is recommended that a professional mechanic inspects the crankshaft.

Solution

If the ticking noise is present, it is recommended that a professional mechanic inspects the crankshaft as it requires skills and experience. Usually, it involves replacing the crankshaft and bearings to make the ticking sound go away.

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Bad Fuel Injectors

Ticking noises in car engines can be caused by several issues, including bad fuel injectors. Fuel injectors that are dirty or worn out can cause the fuel to ignite unevenly, resulting in a ticking noise. Other possible causes of a ticking noise include a worn-out timing belt, low oil pressure, and an exhaust leak.

Solution

A ticking noise is usually caused by bad fuel injectors and can be treated by clearing the clog from the fuel injectors or by replacing them.

Bad Spark Plugs

The ticking noise usually indicates that the spark plugs need to be replaced. If the spark plugs are worn out, they won’t be able to create the spark required, and the engine won’t run efficiently. The ticking noise is created by the air and fuel mixture entering the cylinder and then being ignited by the spark plug.

Solution

If you find spark plugs cracked or loose, it is suggested to replace them. However, a bad torqueing may also cause a similar issue. In that case, it requires to be reinstalled.

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bad spark plugs create engine problems, including lowered gas mileage, difficulty starting, misfires, rough idling, and acceleration shortage.
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Bad Bearings

Ticking noises in car engines can also be caused by a lousy alternator bearing or water pump bearing. If the noise comes from the front of the engine, it could be a bad alternator bearing. If the noise comes from the engine’s back, it could be a bad water pump bearing. The noise is caused by the bearing failure and the inability to rotate properly in its housing. Replacing the bearing will usually fix the issue.

Solution

To diagnose the actual cause, remove the belt dive and turn on the engine. If the ticking noise persists, some internal part of the engine needs to be replaced; however, if you notice that noise is gone, one or more of the bearings mentioned above are causing the ticking noise. In such circumstances, your car needs the replacement of these parts.

Low on Oil

Low engine oil can cause an engine to make a ticking noise. This is because low oil levels can cause a decrease in oil pressure, leading to metal components rubbing against each other and creating a ticking sound. Therefore, if the engine has low oil levels, it is essential to check them and top up with the correct oil as soon as possible.

Solution

Always try to maintain the recommended oil levels; if the engine has low, it is vital to check them and top them up with the correct level instantly. By doing this, you can get rid of the noise.

While running a car on low oil, the engine doesn’t lubricate the components, leading to loud clunking, knocking, and grinding noises.
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Other Causes

Although the causes mentioned earlier are the primary causes of ticking noise; however, certain other things may also cause similar noise like:

  • Loose or damaged Engine Fan
  • Exhaust Manifold leak
CauseAverage Replacement CostAverage Labor Cost
Bad Lifters$15-$40 Each Lifter$100-$1000
Bad Piston Arms$150-$300$1000-$1500
Bad Piston Rings$40-$1000$1000-$5000
Bad Big End Bearing$30-$700$1000-$3000
Bad Crank Shaft$200-$2750$130-$165
Bad Fuel Injectors$10-$600$200-$300
Bad Spark plugs$5-$50$40-$350
Bad Alternator$100-$500$200
Bad Water pump$200-$800$200-$400

Conclusion

The engine is one of a car’s most essential parts, as it has all the power to run your vehicle. The sound it makes can tell you whether or not there are any issues with your engine. Sound, such as the ticking noise from the engine, can be a sign of some severe problem. Many things, such as worn-out engine parts, air bubbles, and other reasons, can cause this noise. Therefore, it is essential to check it out as soon as possible. If you neglect it, your vehicle might be damaged.

FAQs

The most important thing you can do to maintain your car’s engine is to change your oil regularly, preferably every 3,000 miles or six months. This will keep the metal parts from wearing down too quickly and help the engine last longer and work flawlessly.

Before taking your car to the mechanic, it is essential to know what could be the cause of the engine noise. Sometimes the cause of the ticking noise lies somewhere other than the engine, and we can remove it ourselves. Here are some things you should do before taking your car for a check-up:· Check for any loose or missing parts, such as belts.· Check if there are any leaks in the system.· Ensure all your fluids are at the right level and have not spilled out of their containers.· Check if there is a leak in your radiator or hose.

A variety of things can cause noise from the engine. Unless you know the real cause, driving such a car is not recommended. For example, sometimes a ticking noise is made due to some loose part in the engine. Driving a vehicle in such a situation increases the chances of damage as such a component may slide into other moving parts of the engine and damage them.

Yes, bad spark plugs can cause a ticking noise. When the spark plugs go loose or get cracked, they cause a misfire in the engine. Besides, when an engine goes through a misfire, it produces a ticking sound.

Ticking may be caused by a variety of things. Some of them are less serious than others. Therefore, if you have successfully diagnosed the actual cause, you can determine it yourself. However, if you cannot analyze it, you must always take it seriously, as the root cause may be severe sometimes.

About Author

Andrew Ray

Andrew is an automotive technician with 10 years of experience mainly in American and Japanese cars, covering everything from routine vehicle maintenance and engine inspections to tire rotation.