7 Causes of Engine Ticking Noise (At Idle, Acceleration, & After Oil Change)

Is that a ticking noise coming from the engine? A ticking sound could be caused by any number of reasons, such as a low level of oil or loose components.

You may hear a ticking, clicking, or tapping noise while the vehicle is idling, accelerating, or even after receiving an oil change. Here are the reasons why that happens.

rattling 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

check 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

symptoms of bad piston rings and valve seals

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.

#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

rod knock

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

fuel injectors

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

valves

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.

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.

Mark Stevens

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