A car engine is a piece of heavy machinery, and it isn’t surprising for it to make all kinds of sounds. The rotating shafts, the moving pistons and valves, the combustion process, and other engine parts in motion are responsible for various sounds and noises. You can hear multiple sounds like humming, screeching, clicking, and clunking.
Car engines have rotating and reciprocating components. Worn-out accessories and bad bearings would make a whining or whirring sound.
A problem with one of the reciprocating components, such as pistons, valves, rods, or pushrods, usually makes clunking, clicking, or ticking noise.
Reasons for Engine Ticking Noise
Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons your engine is making a ticking sound:
#1. Low Amount of Engine Oil.
When you have a low level of oil in your engine, this will cause the components of the valvetrain to cause ticking sounds because the components are not being lubricated enough. The reason for low engine oil could be due to a leak somewhere.
Perhaps you have damaged or worn out gaskets or seals. Either way, you will know if you have low engine oil because your engine will start to overheat. It needs the oil to cool it off.
Therefore, if you hear ticking sounds in addition to any of these other symptoms, then it’s likely due to your vehicle being low on oil.
#2. Exhaust or Manifold Leak.
This fairly common cause of a ticking sound can happen due to a blown gasket, loose or broken manifold bolts or studs, or even a cracked exhaust manifold. When you smell exhaust from your engine compartment and hear ticking, it’s likely caused by a leak.
Make sure to look for black soot around the manifold and downpipe connections to spot the source of the leak.
#3. Bad Reciprocating Components.
When there is a ticking noise in the engine and it concerns a particular component, then it will usually be a reciprocating component that is to blame and not a rotating component. Some examples of reciprocating components include pushrods, pistons, and valves.
If any of these components were to become worn out, damaged, or go bad for whatever reason, you will begin to hear ticking noises. If you don’t replace these components in a timely manner, the ticking noises may progress into a whining or clunking noise.
For example, as pistons and cylinder walls start wearing out, you may experience what is known as a piston slapping noise. While it’s typically not serious, it will gradually worsen over time.
#4. Worn or Collapsed Lifter.
Lifters are vital components that regulate valve timing, and when worn down or collapsed, clearance increases and an ominous tapping or ticking sound emerges.
Unlike harmless injector noise, this lower frequency knock directly correlates to engine speed, indicating valvetrain lash. If ignored, major engine damage can follow. Heed the tapping lifter’s warning and restore precision before it’s too late.
#5. Rod Knocking.
If the bearing attached to the rod has gone bad, then the rod will knock around and cause a ticking sound. This happens if you have a worn out bearing because it will cause the rod to move.
There won’t be any temperature changes to the engine, but the RPM of the engine will change. The only real solution to fixing the rod knocking problem would be to rebuild your entire motor, which is obviously going to be expensive. But it will have to be done sooner or later.
#6. Fuel Injectors Firing.
This will be the best-case scenario for engine ticking. Certain model cars with a fuel injection system will have ticking sounds whenever the fuel injectors start firing.
This is basically the valves of the injectors that are quickly opening and closing in order to allow the proper fuel amount to enter the internal combustion chamber. This sound is nothing to worry about and is part of the normal operation of your vehicle.
#7. Valves Not Adjusted.
A valve train that is not adjusted will cause ticking sounds. This is often the cause of these sounds, so you might want to check this first.
When your engine spins a couple of times, the valves open and close. There is something called a rocker arm which is responsible for opening and closing the valves. The camshaft has a pushrod which controls the rocker arm and it needs to be the precise distance from the valve.
This is especially true because the valves move so fast and at a short distance. If the adjustments are not exactly right, then the components will move around and cause the ticking sounds.
Ticking noise from the engine
In some cases, ticking noises can be a normal engine sound – however, when it becomes louder and increasingly regular you will likely have a serious problem.
Also, if the ticking sound is accompanied by a jerking engine or even smoke pouring out – stop the vehicle immediately.
There are many causes for a ticking noise, regular maintenance and a car service will prevent a lot of these issues from happening.
Engine ticking while car is idle
If your car is idle, it will be easier to hear louder and irregular sounds coming from the engine.
While idle, the ticking sound could be caused by insufficient engine oil or poor lubrication. This can lead to low pressure within the engine.
Leaking exhaust system will lead to further issues, including a ticking engine.
In internal combustion engines, faulty fuel injectors, fan bets and spark plugs can all be heard ticking while the car is idle.
Engine ticking while accelerating
While you are driving, it can be hard to hear a quiet ticking sound coming from the engine – so if you are hearing something irregular coming from under the bonnet it is important to stop the vehicle as quickly and as safely as possible.
This could indicate a serious problem, and something that should be looked at by a trusted local garage.
How to Fix a Ticking Noise in the Engine
1. Oil-Related Concern
Start by examining your oil level. Pull out the oil dipstick, clean it off, reinsert it, and then pull it once again. If it’s low, top it up — however, know that you might have an oil leakage. Inspect the level frequently to see if it drops, and keep an eye out for leaking oil under the vehicle or under the hood, or small areas of oil on the back of the vehicle near the exhaust.
Inspecting your oil pressure is your next action. Make sure it’s at least 15-20 psi when the engine is warmed up and idling if you have an oil pressure gauge in your control panel instrument cluster. You might have a worn or sticking engine part if the oil level and pressure check out.
One last possibility of significant engine problems is called rod knock, which is different from a tick. A rod knock is louder, and deeper, and instead of originating at the top of the engine, sounds more internal. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between an engine tick or knock, but a mechanic can help diagnose this.
2. Exhaust Leakage
Repairing exhaust leakages can be labor-intensive, specifically on automobiles with rusted hardware. But these repairs can generally be done easier by DIY if you choose.
3. Bad Bearing
Once you have diagnosed where the part is that’s making noise, it can either be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced.
4. Engine Fan
Examine the heat and dust guards, metal lines or brackets, or anything else that can vibrate and come in contact with another part while running. Take a look at the bottom of the hood for contact marks.
5. Ignition Issues
As mentioned before, any ignition issues should also trigger a check engine light. If the light is on when the ticking noise started, come into AutoZone for free diagnosis, and we’ll also help recommend a shop to help with the repair if necessary.
Why Does Ticking Noise Stop After Starting?
Often, the ticking noise you hear in an engine might stop after starting because the low oil level or pressure has been resolved.
In some cases, the noise goes away when the engine warms up, as the metal components expand slightly and oil starts circulating through the system at a higher pressure, increasing the lubrication to vital engine parts. This lubrication can alleviate the ticking noise you might hear when the engine is first started.