Car is making a ticking noise... HELP!!?

Question

Car Engine just started ticking! Help!?
I just went to the store and when I started up my car I heard this ticking sound. It gets worse the more I accellerate. What could this be. It just started... I'm scared to drive it because I don't want to blow up the motor. A friend of mine said that it could be really low on oil, but I had it changed 3,000 miles ago and I use synthetic. It's a pretty loud ticking especially when I'm in the garage or next to another car or building. It's a 2001 Pontiac Firebird with 86,000 miles.

I just went and checked the oil after letting it cool for 2 hours and the oil level is good. Then I started the car and it wasn't ticking anymore.... any clues as to what might have caused this?

Answer 1

Since the ticking occurs more frequently when you rev the engine then whatever is making the noise is engine related. Open the hood and check the oil first off. Once you've determined that it's not low on oil, crank up the car and listen to different parts of the engine and see if you can find out what exactly is making the noise. I have a Firebird myself and my alternator makes a little ticking noise every now and then, but it has not caused any problems. What you want to make sure of is that this ticking noise is not a valve or a lifter tapping. Those are far more serious problems. If you hear the ticking noise coming from underneath a valve cover or under the intake manifold, then take it to a shop and have them look at it. I'm assuming that it's making the noise constantly and it doesn't go away. If you find that it's a pulley or something else, replace that part and it should solve the problem.

Answer 2

Ticking Noise In Engine

Answer 3

Ticking Sound In Engine

Answer 4

The ticking sound seems more pronounced when in a building or next to one because the sound is bouncing off the walls! I had this before and found that one on leads was faulty and spark was jumping to earth causing the ticking sound. Open your hood at night and start your engine and look in the engine bay and you will soon see the tel tale sign of where it is jumping to! Replace the lead/distributor cap and hopefully that will sort out the problem!

Answer 5

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RE:
Car is making a ticking noise... HELP!!?
Car Engine just started ticking! Help!?
I just went to the store and when I started up my car I heard this ticking sound. It gets worse the more I accellerate. What could this be. It just started... I'm scared to drive it because I don't want to blow up the motor. A friend of mine said...

Answer 6

Check your oil immediately to make sure it is not low. If your oil is okay, you might have a bad fan belt, water pump or alternator bearing, or other worn part.

Run your engine and look under the hood to see if you can hear where the noise is coming from.

Answer 7

check the oil if it is low add some to fill it to full mark also what it could be depending on how you have kept the car and ran it . It could be the lifters. i would do the oil then if it still kept doing it take it to a mechanic and have them check the car out, it will cost much less to have it checked then to buy a new motor or a new car. good luck

Answer 8

if it is a ticking sound it's probably something in the pulley assembley, or perhaps you might check for an exhaust leak. if there is an exhaust gasket that went bad, or something in the exhaust pipe, like a small leak- hole. if it is more of a knocking sound than that is bad, but if it is just a small ticking, than I would go straight to the exhaust, my truck does the same thing, but all it is, is one heck of an exhaust leak, this won't hurt the vehicle, but it does get really annoying.

Answer 9

Check your oil as your vehicle gets older you should check the oil more often

Answer 10

you could just had a lifter sticking and it freed itself.