A good Ford can last a long time. With regular maintenance and OEM parts, your Ford can provide years of reliable work, commute trips, and adventures. Take your Ford up mountains, along the beaches, or down into the valley. You can enjoy the endless performance, comfort, durability, and the latest advanced vehicle technology wherever you go.
However, part of a long and happy Ford ownership means knowing when to bring your Ford into the dealership. When driving your Ford, there are five car engine noises that require your immediate attention.
Car Engine Noises You Should Never Ignore
The following five Ford engine noises are all sounds that should put you on red alert if you or someone else is driving. These bad engine sounds most likely indicate that something has gone wrong, and the vehicle may not be safe to drive until it has been serviced.
Engine Squealing Noise
Squealing is bad news for any machine, especially an automobile. Squealing means that one thing is rushing past another when there should likely be friction. Your engine runs on belts, gears, and liquid systems.
The source of squealing from your engine compartment is most likely a belt that has worn down and begun to slip. The fan belt or serpentine belt controls many engine accessories, including the alternator and water pump, which is essential to the operation and safe cooling. Don't delay with repairs as soon as you hear your engine squeal.
Your engine may also squeal if you are low on oil, or you may hear squealing when you tap the brakes. That would mean that your brakes are slipping, a completely different reason to seek immediate repairs.
Engine Tapping or Clicking Noises
A tapping sound from your Ford can occur for three reasons. One is the familiar ticking as your engine cools after you turn it off. However, if you hear a tapping sound while driving, this could be low oil or a sign that your upper valve train or "tappet" is worn out.
If it is your tappet, you may notice that the tapping gets faster when accelerating. This tapping is heard better if you roll down your window to hear the engine more clearly. If it is your oil, have your levels checked and your oil changed before driving again.
In some cases, tapping may also indicate that your springs or camshafts are worn.
Engine Grinding Noise
Is your Ford engine making a grinding noise? Grinding sounds typically come when your gears fail to catch correctly, especially if you hear this sound when you automatically or manually switch gears. Grinding can be heard in a manual transmission if the clutch doesn't fully separate the gearbox from the engine.
If you hear grinding when driving or idling, you may have worn-out bearings. If you hear it when braking, this is a sign that your brake pads are worn. Never take Ford engine grinding sounds lightly, and always seek immediate repairs.
However, if you are driving an automatic, as in most situations,
Engine Knocking Noise
A combustion engine must keep the right mixture of air and fuel. When this mixture changes due to an engine failure, you may hear a knocking sound, a bang, a ping, or metallic knocking, which is a bad engine sound. This phenomenon, known as detonation knocking, occurs when the fuel mixture has poor timing.
An alternative cause of engine knocking can be an issue with your rod bearings. If your rod bearings are worn or loose, the knocking noise occurs when they begin to fail.
Engine Hissing or Sizzling Noises
Watch out for any hissing or sizzling sounds coming from your Ford engine. Hissing or a broken sizzling noise can indicate there is a leak, especially if heard right after you turn off the vehicle. This sound could mean there is an issue with your fluids or your vacuum line and usually means it is at high risk of overheating.
Professional & Certified Ford Service Department in San Mateo
If you need certified Ford repairs and services to deal with worrying engine noise, we are here to help. You can find our friendly expert certified Ford mechanics at Putnam Ford in San Mateo.
Find all the professional and certified Ford services you need in San Mateo with Putnam Ford. We are dedicated to ensuring you enjoy your life with your Ford to the fullest.
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