QA

Quick Answer: Car Makes Noise When Starting Then Goes Away

This is usually due to the bearing on the pulley for one of these beginning to go bad, and so it makes noise during startup that will usually go away once oil circulates or the bearings heat up and expand slightly, making the operation smoother and quieter.

Why does my car make a noise when I first start it?

So, what is that grinding noise you hear when starting a car? Most likely, if it is true grinding that you hear, the problem is related to the starter. Causes include the starter not lining up correctly with the ring gear on the flywheel, missing or damaged gear teeth, or a faulty solenoid.

Why does my car sound weird on a cold start?

Dear Tim: It is not unusual to hear some engine when first starting on a cold start. The sound can either be from a hydraulic valve lifter, or piston-to-cylinder wall clearance. As the engine warms, the clearances change and get tighter and noises will usually disappear. The noise may not occur again for weeks.

Why does my car make a noise when I turn it on in the morning?

You start your car in the morning, and as soon as the engine fires up, you notice a loud, high-pitched squeal. Although there are a few causes of a squealing engine, one of the most common is a bad or failing serpentine belt. The serpentine belt – or drive belt, as its also known – plays a vital role in the engine.

Why is my car making noise when I start it and the noise goes away after a few minutes?

What is this? Piston slap is an extremely common cause of cold start engine noise. If the pistons and cylinder bores are set up and machined to the correct specifications and tolerances, the piston slap should not occur. This is one of the reasons why the sound of the slap will go away a short time after starting.

What does a transmission sound like when it is going out?

Clunking, humming or whining sounds are signs of automatic transmission problems. Faulty manual transmissions will also give off loud machinelike sounds that seem to come out of nowhere. A clunking noise when you shift gears is a telltale transmission situation. Have a mechanic look it over.

Why does my car sound loud when idling?

Loud Idling If there is an uneven air-fuel ration in the cylinder, combustion can occur at higher or lower rates than normal. Higher pressure in the cylinder can cause the engine to sound louder than usual or even produce a knocking sound.

What does a rattling timing chain sound like?

Listen for a metallic sound that resembles a rattling or scrapping noise. The sound can be intermittent or constant, but it will be a metal to metal contact. If you hear a rattle, metal to metal slapping or scraping coming from inside the cover, it indicates a timing chain noise.

Why does a cold start sound loud?

When it is cold, more fuel is added to the air/fuel mixture to make up for the lack of natural vaporisation. So the AFR (air-fuel ratio) is seen by the ECU to be leaner than usual (below the Stoichiometric ratio of 14.7:1) so it compensates for this with extra fuel to make up for the unburned fuel due to the cold.

What are the first signs of transmission problems?

What Are the Transmission Failure Symptoms? Refusal to Switch Gears. If your vehicle refuses or struggles to change gears, you are more than likely facing a problem with your transmission system. Burning Smell. Noises When in Neutral. Slipping Gears. Dragging Clutch. Leaking Fluid. Check Engine Light. Grinding or Shaking.

What are the signs of low transmission fluid?

In the meantime, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the tell-tale signs that you may be low on transmission fluid. Noises. Burning Smell. Transmission Leaks. Slipping Gears. Slow Gear Engagement. Vehicle Accelerates Poorly. Check Engine or Transmission Warning Light Is On.

What does low transmission fluid sound like?

Gurgling. If you’re like many drivers, you often forget to check the fluid levels in your vehicle, and if the fluid level in your transmission is too low, you will notice a gurgling noise. Commonly, drivers will notice this gurgling noise when their transmission slips while shifting gears.

Why does my car sound like a helicopter when idling?

There’s a Problem with Your Brakes or Wheel Bearings A number of brake problems can cause a helicopter-like sound while driving, including a warped caliper or rotor, issues with the parking brake, or just a bad brake. It’s also possible your wheel bearings are failing, causing extra noise while driving.

How can you tell if an engine has an irregular noise?

You can check your clearances by inserting a thickness gauge between the lifter or rocker arm and the valve stem. If the noise is reduced, then the cause is excessive clearance and you will want to make the correct adjustments. If the noise persists, then it is most likely rough cams or worn lifter faces.

How do you know if your engine has lost compression?

Signs of Low Engine Compression Illuminated Check Engine Light. Vehicle Runs Rough and Misfires. Engine Turns Over Quickly But Doesn’t Start. Worn/Damaged Piston Rings, Pistons, and Cylinder walls. Valve and Valve Train Problems. Faulty Head Gasket. Issues with the Timing Belt or Timing Chain.