I hear a tapping sound that appears to increase with speed...?

Question

I'm not sure if it's coming from a wheel or from under the hood. What are some possibilities?

There's a lot of good avice here. Thanks to all.

Answer 1

First, with the car parked, rev the engine, if the tapping gets faster with engine speed, it could be the valve lifters. Check to make sure you are not low on engine oil.

If it oly is hear while moving, it's something on the tire (like a rock or nail in the tread) or a bent dust shield on the brakes, or a plastic bag or piece of cardboard stuck under the car that is rubbing on a driveshaft. If none of those, it could be a bad wheel bearing.

Answer 2

Look under the car around the drive shaft for anything touching or shiny spots on the shaft.
Inspect the tires for rocks or debris imbedded. If you find something and it is into the rubber wiggle gently to see if you will lose air upon removal or goto a tire shop.
Nothing notices or found then we need to figure out from where the noise comes.
Best bet is to drive on a quiet street with buildings or walls on both sides for sound reflection.
Start with just the drivers window open, while sitting still rev the engine then slowly bring the RPMs up to about 4000.
Can you hear the noise? It's in the engine
No noise, start to drive, once you hear the noise place the car in Neutral to see if it might be the transmission.
Try shutting your window and opening a window on the other side of the car to help determine which side the noise is coming from.
Make a note of speed when noise starts or stops and from where abouts the noise comes. This will help a technician find the problem faster if you need to take it in for repairs.

Taps, thumps, knocks are different, try to really descripe what you hear.

Good luck and happy holidays

Answer 3

That's not much to go on, but it could be a rock or a nail in your tire. I would suggest rolling down your windows and driving at a slow pace to try to determine exactly where the sound is originating from. If you can localize it to a tire, check the treads for a foreign object. If you're lucky, it's a rock that can easily be removed. If it's a nail, you may need to get the tire patched if the nail was long enough to puncture the inner tube.

Answer 4

I think rixtrix51 is on the right path. You could have someone listen as you rev the engine to determine exact location. If it makes a "tapping" noise with the car in park or neutral, chances are it's no something in your wheel or tire assembly.
Unless you're a fairly good mechanic, you should probably have someone look, estimate and then repair - if necessary.

Good luck

Answer 5

Definitely sounds like a Wheel Balance Fault.

If your Tyre Pressures are Correct then get it Checked
in to a Garage who will test them for you.

May need Adjustment but Probably a New Tyre

Answer 6

If it's under the hood, it could be sticky valves. Change your oil or try using a lighter weight oil (within the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations) You can buy products that help clean deposits too.

Answer 7

you should get to a car dealer or mechanic very soon it is probably a valve lifter or you could even have a rod knocking both are bad also check your oil level you could be very low on oil

Answer 8

let the poor midget out from under the hood. it gets really hot under there when the engine is running. (dont ask me how i know that :-O).

Answer 9

ignition to low or worn out valve

Answer 10

broken belt in tire