4 Symptoms of a Bad Rocker Arm
That annoying clicking noise you hear under the hood is probably not your imagination. The cause of this annoying noise is often a faulty rocker arm. Learn the most common signs of a bad rocker arm and how much it might cost to repair or replace.
What are rocker arms and how do they work? Rocker arms are typically found between the bumper and the intake and exhaust valves. These are pushed and pulled by the push rods to “rock” up and down, opening and closing the exhaust and intake valves in the engine’s combustion chambers, which have camshafts underneath them.
When the camshaft rotates underneath the push rod, driven by the crankshaft, the push rod moves up and down. This allows power to flow from the engine’s combustion chambers, through various components, to the wheels, starting the vehicle in motion.
If a rocker arm breaks or comes loose, the exhaust and/or intake valves will not function properly and the cylinder associated with the broken rocker arm will be unusable. This ultimately limits the engine’s performance and your ability to drive your car smoothly and safely.
Common Symptoms of Bad Rocker Arms
If one or more rocker arms are faulty, your engine may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms. However, another faulty part may also be causing the problem. Regardless of the cause, the problem should be repaired by you or a mechanic before you can drive your vehicle again.
1) Ticking or Clicking Noises
Abnormal valve-related noises often sound like a rapid clicking or clicking noise, similar to the sound of a sewing machine. If you experience this noise, inspect the rocker arms and surrounding parts with the engine running. A faulty rocker arm can cause it to stick or prevent the valve from opening and closing properly.
Other possible causes of noise in the combustion chamber or surrounding components include: lack of lubrication between moving parts, distorted valves, worn camshafts, etc.
If the rocker arm appears to be working properly upon visual inspection, the next step to resolve the issue is some minor troubleshooting by yourself or a mechanic.
2) Poor engine performance or stalling
For an internal combustion engine to function, careful timing is essential for maximum efficiency, and valves must open and close at precise times. If a fault in your vehicle’s rocker arm impedes this process, you’ll notice a loss of power and poor acceleration. In severe cases, it can put a lot of strain on the engine and even cause it to stall while driving.
3) Check Engine Light Illuminated
Your vehicle will also detect a decrease in engine performance and turn on the check engine light to warn you. You should use a diagnostic scanner to check for stored codes.
4) Physical Wear
A visual inspection of the rocker arm may also reveal cracks or wear. After removing the valve cover, look for metal pieces under the rocker arm. If the metal pieces are in poor condition, they can rub against the pivot point or valve. Steel is inexpensive, strong, and relatively light, making it a good choice for fuel-efficient cars.
High-performance vehicles typically use aluminum rocker arms because they are lighter. Truck engines often require stronger rocker arms made from forged carbon steel or cast iron.
If you’re doing it yourself, knowing which rocker arms to buy will require some research. Auto parts stores may have the accessories your vehicle needs in stock or can order the part specifically for you.
