Clunking Sound Under The Hood

The sound of modern cars can be inspiring. What you don’t want to hear are the abnormal and annoying warning sounds that may let you know that things aren’t all good under the hood.

Many automotive issues can alter the noises your car makes. For example, poor alignment can cause squeaking when taking a turn. However, certain vehicle noises indicate the need for immediate maintenance. In this blog, we list eight common warning sounds that tell you to take your vehicle to Metric Auto Works as soon as possible.

Chirping Engine

Engine chirping may almost sound like there’s a bird trapped under your hood, or it may sound squeakier. The chirps will likely happen intermittently and may change frequency depending on the type of driving you’re doing.

The sound usually occurs when a timing or serpentine belt in the engine becomes loose or damaged. Some automotive belts can be adjusted, while others must be replaced. If left unaddressed, loose belts can cause permanent engine damage. Excessive belt wear could even cause a belt to break while you’re driving.

Clacking Steering Wheel

While many car noises come from the engine or undercarriage, they can happen inside your cabin as well. Your steering wheel can make a clacking or clicking noise when you turn.

The clacks may indicate low power steering fluid or damage to a component in the steering column. These issues tend to progress over time, making the vehicle harder to maneuver as the problem develops.

Clunking Hood

Some engine noises sound like they originate from the hood itself rather than what lies beneath it. You may hear clunking or banging that sounds like someone keeping time by tapping on your hood.

Clunking that happens in a rhythm can signal an issue with the pistons or connecting rods in your engine. It’s vital to find the source of the sound quickly to avoid costly repairs of damage to the engine caused by the affected pistons or rods.

Grinding Brakes

Ideally, your brakes should be virtually silent when you come to a normal, complete stop. Any brake noise should be investigated by a professional.

If your brakes start to sound like they’re grinding to a halt, the components of the brakes are touching directly, which can damage the rotor.  Once this level of damage occurs, your brake system may become unsafe and unpredictable.