German Precision Pre Purchase Car Inspection

Prepurchase Car Inspections Melbourne

Determine The Obnoxious Car Noises and Their Meanings

Knowing what causes strange car noises can help you determine whether the problem is serious or minor. If you’re not sure if the car noises are the consequence of a serious problem. Seek help from a reputable repair center right away.

We have been in the automotive industry since 1984. Ranging from apprentice to master technician, workshop foreman, controller, service advisor, and service manager, in numerous premium vehicle businesses. We have built a level of loyalty that in the 21st Century is vital. After all, customer service and care is a point of difference.

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1. Clunking Car Noises

If your car makes a clunking noise when you use the brakes. This could indicate that the brake discs, calipers, or pads are worn, loose, or damaged. The clunk occurs when driving over bumps, which could be an issue with your car’s suspension, mountings, or a loose element of the exhaust. If it clunks when turning corners, the problem could be with the steering, wheels, or tyres, or a worn-out wheel bearing.

2. Whirring or Grinding Car Noises

A grinding or whirring sound coming from your car’s transmission could indicate a problem with the clutch thrust bearing. The clutch itself (in a manual), or shafts and gears inside the transmission. If the grinding or whirring is coming from under the car, it could be due to a low oil level in the differential(s) or gearbox, or a universal or CV joint or wheel bearing. When you use the brakes, the metal backing of the pads grinds on the brake disc rotors, indicating worn brake pads. Your brakes will be ineffective (and dangerous), and the metal-to-metal contact will quickly wear down the discs.

3. Hissing Car Noises

A hissing sound from under the bonnet suggests there is a fluid leak. It could be a vacuum leak from one of the little hoses around the engine’s air intake if the hissing occurs when you speed.

4. Knocking Car Noises

A knocking sound coming from your engine is usually an indication that something is significantly wrong; have it looked out as soon as possible. A professional will be able to tell you whether there is a serious problem with the engine’s internals or if it is something that can be fixed more readily.

Engine issue is known as ‘knocking’ sounds like a faint metallic ‘ping’ when you accelerate and can be caused by a poorly tuned engine or fuel with too low an octane (or Research Octane Numbers (RON)) rating, i.e. you are using 91 Octane when the car is designed to take 95 or 98 Octane.

5. Sputtering, Popping or Banging Care Noises

A backfire occurs when unburned fuel exits the engine and ignites in the tailpipe, resulting in a loud bang from your exhaust pipe. There could be a vacuum or exhaust leak, or a problem with the catalytic converter.

In an older car, this could mean the engine is out of tune. If the popping or spluttering is coming from the front of the car. It could mean there’s an issue with the engine’s fuel, ignition, or exhaust system This could be caused by a clogged fuel filter, worn spark plugs, or a faulty catalytic converter.

6. Rattling Car Noises

Rattles coming from beneath your car suggest that something is loose or has wedged itself there. It’s possible that a component of the exhaust or suspension has broken loose, and this should be investigated as quickly as possible.

7. Roaring Car Noises

When you accelerate, a roaring or plain noisy exhaust usually indicates an old exhaust system that has rusted or become damaged to the point that the muffler is no longer doing its duty of keeping the car quiet.

Although an exhaust problem is unlikely to cause your car to stop or cause more damage, it may be allowing exhaust pollutants into the cabin and should be investigated immediately.

8. Clicking or Tapping Car Noises

Tapping or clicking sound from under the bonnet might mean your engine is low on oil. Which is easy to check and top-up. It could indicate a problem with the valve train on an older engine. If your car has a lot of kilometers on it and/or hasn’t been serviced often, it’s possible that your engine is worn out, however, some engines will happily run with a top-end tick for a long time, especially if the sound goes away when the engine warms up or in the summer.

9. Whistling Car Noises

A whistling from under the bonnet could indicate a vacuum leak in one of the hoses around the air intake, which can be difficult to locate but is normally simple to repair.

10. Squealing Car Noises

A squealing sound from under the bonnet of your car is one of the most common car sounds. It signifies that one of the belts that drive accessories from the engine, such as air conditioning or power steering, has slipped on a pulley. This can be rectified in minutes by a qualified mechanic.

If the screeching originates from the wheels, it could indicate that your brake pads are worn out or there is an issue with your brake system. Squealing is coming from your tyres, though, you should turn your cap the other way and ease up on the accelerator.

If you are looking for the best pre-purchase car inspector in Melbourne, do not hesitate to contact German Precision or Prepurchase Check today!

Source: mynrma.com.au

Pre Purchase Car Inspector Melbourne

Klaus Sturm

Klaus is a highly experienced automotive professional with 35+ years in the industry, offering Pre-purchase Car Inspection and Vehicle Check services in Melbourne, Victoria. His expertise ranges from technician to service manager, earning him a reputation for exceptional customer service.