Car engine problems?

Question

My car has been making a weird noise, and it seems like its coming from the engine. While I drive, something goes "pcht!" randomly...and I've noticed my car is losing its potency. It feels different when I drive it now, and when I accelerate...it takes long for it to acquire speed. The sound resembles what you hear when you put air in your tires, and it only lasts about half a second each time...What could be the problem and what could be done? (The sound also seems to be coming from the front right side of the car, if you're sitting in the driver's seat)

WHOA thanks guys, I need to print this and take it to my dad... I know absolutely nothing about cars. It's a 1997 Nissan Altima.

Answer 1

Try turning your air conditioner off and see if it goes away. Sounds like your compressor cycling. Thats normal to lose a little power.

Answer 2

Here goes nothing. Not much to go on but here is where you start. Make sure you have the right amount of oil in the car. Too much is as bad as not enough. Look for leaks and other possible wear and tear problems under the hood.

If it isn't something that you can identify with a visual inspection uner the hood then it might be more complicated.

Youi may have "jumped timing". When this happens, the timing belt or timing chain (depending on thec ar) will slip a little due to wear and tear. Eventually the timing chain or belt will slip or fail and then the car will not run at all.

That "pfht" noise might be a slight backfire into the intake manifold due to the timing being off due to the aformentioned possible timing belt/chain problem.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Hi,

Please provide the model,make of the car.hvae you opened the engine comparment and anything unusual can be seen.Any kind of oil leakage.BTW when you changed your air filter,engine oil and filter,fuel filter.etcAny service history you have?

regards,
Nataraj
Bahrain

Answer 4

Make model year #cylinder, Auto ,manual.