What’s That Noise? Worrying Car Sounds Explained

We?ve all been there before — you’re driving along, just minding your own business, when all of a sudden your car, for some unknown reason, begins making strange and troubling sounds. Well, those reasons shouldn?t be unknown, as sounds can be telltale signs that there?s something very wrong with your vehicle. If you hear a sound, you don?t necessarily need to get a car service in Sydney , Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or surrounding areas. In this article, we?ll look at the various troubling sounds and tell you when you can act on your own and when a mechanic needs to be consulted.

• Backfiring – If you hear this sound, you may have a faulty ignition or leaking valves. You should have your ignition and valves checked by a mechanic immediately.
• Clattering engine – If you hear this sound, it means there’s not enough oil in the engine. Add oil immediately.
• Hissing engine – If you hear this sound, it means there is a leak from either the coolant or air hoses. Take this to a mechanic to be fixed.
• Knocking from engine – If you hear this sound, you have a worn camshaft or worn cam followers. You’ll need to see a mechanic for this one. The sound will probably increase with speed.
• Whining engine – If you hear this sound, it means the camshaft drive belt isn’t properly tensioned. Once again, you’ll need to visit a mechanic.
• Rattle on acceleration – If you hear this sound, there could be many problems. Your engine may be overheating, your ignition may be faulty, or you may simply have the wrong grade of fuel. Try using a higher grade of fuel, and if this doesn’t work, take your car to a mechanic.
• Moaning engine when steering – If you hear this sound, your power steering fluid is dangerously low. Fill up the power steering fluid immediately.
• Screech when steering – If you hear this sound, you’ve probably got a slipping auxiliary drive belt or fan belt. If you’re confident, you can adjust the belt yourself, or if it’s no good, you may need to get it replaced.
• Roar when accelerating – If you hear this sound, it could mean you have a blown exhaust. Have the exhaust checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
• Grind or squeak when braking – If you hear this sound, your brakes are probably worn out. Take this to a mechanic immediately or, if you’re worried about driving, contact a mobile mechanic to come to you. Mobile mechanics are available for a car service in Melbourne , Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and surrounding areas.
• Clicking wheels – If you hear this sound, it may mean you have a loose hubcap, or perhaps an object (such as a rock) lodged in the hubcap. Stop the car and remove the interfering object or tighten the hubcap.

Engine vibrates violently – If you hear this sound, it could mean there is a misfire in one of the cylinders. Take the car to a mechanic immediately, or call a mobile mechanic to come to you.