6 Causes of Engine Ticks (When Accelerating/Idling)
Do you have a noisy, rattling engine? You may hear a rhythmic ticking sound coming from under the hood. Regardless of the type of abnormal noise, you automatically think of an impending engine failure and the headaches such a problem can cause.
In some cases, ticking sounds are normal and even expected. There are times when an occasional problem needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Below are some of the most common causes of engine ticking and what to do if you hear it.
Although a ticking engine sound is cause for concern, such noises are not always a cause for concern. In fact, some ticking sounds are completely normal and expected. You may not have noticed these standard ticking sounds until you leave your vehicle idling in an enclosed space, where the noise becomes amplified.
Below are some of the most common causes of ticking sounds under the hood of your car. These are completely normal and do not require intervention.
1) Vent Valve
The engine breather valve directs stored gases from the activated carbon canister into the engine’s intake tract where they are burned. When this valve activates, you often hear a “ticking” sound.
2) PCV Valve
It is also common for the engine’s PCV valve to make a ticking noise from time to time. This mainly occurs when the PCV valve starts to deteriorate, but is not a cause for alarm. If such noises bother you, you can replace the PCV valve.
3) Injectors
The ticking noise can also come from your engine’s fuel injectors. Fuel injectors are electronically operated and typically make a clicking or humming noise during operation. Direct injection engines have even larger injectors than port injection engines. You will usually encounter this in new cars manufactured within the last 5 years. This is 100% normal and nothing to be concerned about. Common Causes of Engine Ticks
The causes of engine ticking are many and vary in severity. Some ticking noises are easy to track down, while others can be very difficult to find. When searching for the cause of your engine ticking, the following are some good places to start:
1) Low Oil Level (Low Oil Level Symptoms)
When you hear a ticking noise, first check the engine oil level. Low engine oil levels can cause valuable lubrication to be lost from your vehicle’s components, resulting in metal-on-metal rattling noises. If you notice that your engine oil level is low, you should add oil immediately and identify the source of the leak.
Absolutely; fix this problem as soon as possible. Not having enough oil in your engine can have serious consequences. It’s best to leave your vehicle parked until you’ve topped off your engine oil.
2) Lifters
Engines use a series of tappets to provide the force needed to mechanically open and close the valves. Over time, the lifters can wear out and produce a clicking, metallic noise. While a regular engine oil change can sometimes solve this noise, lifters often need to be replaced if they are broken. Some oil additives often reduce the noise of noisy lifters. Sometimes the answer depends on the type of jack your vehicle has. Hydraulic jacks can sometimes make noise. This is commonly referred to as “lever noise” and affects vehicles such as older Mazda Miatas. If the noise goes away within 10 minutes of starting the car or by the time the car is fully warmed up, there is no need to worry.
Vehicles with fixed lifters may need to have the valve clearances adjusted. Adjusting the valve clearances is a more complicated job and is best left to a mechanic. Vehicles with fixed lifters usually have service intervals in place to adjust the valves if necessary. This should be mentioned in your user manual.
3) Exhaust leaks (white smoke coming from the exhaust)
Exhaust leaks of some kind are very common and can plague any vehicle at some point in its life. A clicking noise is often caused when exhaust gases escape under pressure through the leak. If this leak is located along the exhaust manifold, it can cause an internal engine clicking noise. However, it is not usually an emergency. Exhaust leaks can cause excessive engine noise and can illuminate the check engine light. Exhaust fumes that exit in front of the catalytic converter are especially toxic if inhaled.
4) Valves not adjusted correctly
Internal combustion engines use intake and exhaust valves to draw air into each combustion chamber and push exhaust gases out. Valve clearances must be checked regularly according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If your engine’s valve clearances are not checked and adjusted as instructed, rattles can occur. This relates to the valve clearance adjustment for fixed lifters discussed in the lifter section of this article.
5) Damaged or worn spark plugs (fouled spark plugs)
Spark plugs screw into the head of an internal combustion engine. If the spark plug is not seated correctly in the ignition head during installation, or if the spark plug cannot be properly tightened due to damaged threads, it can cause a noticeable clicking noise as combustion and exhaust gases are bypassed. Worn spark plugs can lead to poor fuel economy, misfire codes, and poor overall vehicle operation. Spark plugs are inexpensive and easy to replace on most vehicles.
6) Worn accessory drive pulleys
Engines are equipped with many belt-driven auxiliary units. These accessories have pulleys that use bearings to rotate smoothly. If these bearings wear excessively, they can develop play and cause clicking and rattling noises. The PTO pulley can stick, causing problems with the belt and other PTOs in the system.
Why is my engine ticking after an oil change?
If you notice that your car’s engine has started to tick after an oil change, you may be quite concerned, but there is a good reason for it. The health of your engine directly depends on its ability to circulate an adequate amount of clean oil. If the oil is not changed at the required service intervals, or if your vehicle’s oil level falls below its specified operating capacity, a lot of problems can quickly occur. If the engine is still running despite the oil having been changed recently, it is important to perform a series of simple visual checks. The following steps will help with this test:
1) Check the oil level
You should first check the engine’s oil level. It is possible that the oil was not refilled to its maximum operating capacity when it was changed. If the level is indeed low, add oil until it reaches capacity.
2) Check for leaks
Visually inspect the oil filter and oil drain plug for signs of oil leakage. You can place a piece of cardboard under the running engine of your car and leave it there for a short period of time. Then remove this cardboard and inspect for signs of oil leakage.
3) Check the drain plug and oil filter for leaks.
If you experience leakage, you should check the tightness of the drain plug and oil filter. It is possible that one of these two parts was left partially loose during an oil change in your vehicle and is causing the ticking leak.
There are several known causes of engine-related ticking noises after an oil change: Fixing these types of issues quickly will help minimize the occurrence of serious and permanent component damage. Here are some possible causes of engine ticking after an oil change:
1) Low oil level
2) Loose oil drain plug
3) Loose oil filter
4) Faulty oil filter check valve
5) Ticks and knocking
6) Tinkling noises
In some cases, it can be difficult to distinguish between different types of engine noises. Many drivers describe ticking as a “knock,” but the two sounds are not interchangeable. Tinkling sounds are high-pitched and similar to a rattle, while engine knocking sounds like repeated hammering and is often much louder. Engine knocking is generally much more serious than a ticking sound. Loud “rattling” or knocking noises often indicate an internal engine problem that is much more serious than a ticking sound. Many of these noises come from the rotating assemblies of the engine or related components. Below are some of the most common causes of engine knocking:
1) Piston Slap
2) Worn Bearings
3) Incorrect Timing
4) Carbon Deposits
5) Low Fuel Octane