Causes of Ticking Noise in Engine When Idling and Accelerating

Common causes of engine ticking noises when idling or accelerating and how to find the source of the noise.
Does the sound increase with the engine RPM when stopped?
Check belts, bearings, lifters, and other engine components RPMs.
Does the sound increase with speed when moving?
Check rotating objects such as tires, CV axles, and driveline.
Does the sound come from the bottom or the top of the engine?
A knocking noise from the bottom of the engine might be a bad bearing or rod.
If possible, try to locate the noise and ensure nothing is loose and rattling around.
Possible Causes of Ticking Noise:
Low Engine Oil or Low Oil Pressure
Exhaust Leak (Usually Around the Exhaust Manifold)
CV Axle
Valve Train (Lifter, Rocker Arm, Cam, Pushrods)
Bad Fuel Injector
Purge Valve
Timing Chain
By using this information user assumes all risk of use.
www.backyardmechanic.org

[@EddieNYC02]

Wow thank you 🙏 for the information that really helped me a lot .

[@logandisterheft637]

thanks, great vid vary informative.

[@twiggyg6178]

Great video! Thank you 🙏🏽

[@Fastford011]

Very informative video! Now, if I could just figure out where the tapping is coming from my Ford F150 pick up truck🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jamesmichael8549]

I have a Buick Park Ave 2003 3.8 Liter engine it has that ticking noise .I kinda figure it out that the Lifters .So my question is bleeding this lifters is it going to work I have seen BMW Mechanics do it for their cars and it works the Lifters noise goes away from simple changing oil and holding the revs for 3 minutes at 3,000 revs

[@dcplanbful]

Thank you

[@cynical-4649]

My diesel xe jaguar has a ticking noise at 140,000 miles that only makes this noise on cold start. Goes away after engine warms up, but engine takes a bit to warm up. Ticking noise increases in frequency when i accelerate. Its at the dealership for diagnostics bc i really want to understand what it is to just have a better understanding of possible issues. Currently, they suspect it is an engine bearing which is what led me here. Only difference for me in the videos ive watched is that the ticking noise i have is not permanent. It is only when the engine has not warmed up. Cold start is particularly noisy.

[@moneycoin1437]

Best f…ing information in my life thanks!!!

[@user-gx9od2wb5n]

I have a 01 Lincoln town car,and mine started ticking low few weeks ago and now it's louder, whether I start it or am driving it

[@dirtyboy8336]

I have a 99 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 5.2L and my purge valve be ticking. Is it ok to replace now? Now I had a bad time of my oil light keep popping on I have change the oil and last time only 1 quart of oil came and I have put like 5 1/2 quarts in it and it still acts up. I hear loud taking from the oil pan. I think my oil pump was going out but I put my oil in and it stop. Dipstick never reads at all. Dipsticks be dry. Someone said I have wrong dipstick. And my truck is burning oil. Nothing bad, but I need to fix it. I change the PCV. And that Help a lot

[@justinraby5460]

I have a 2015 gmc sierra that o ly ticks about 5 mins after start up and only during idle, if i give it any gas it stops. Any dieas would help alot. Thanks in advance.

[@user-bo4qm6sr9k]

Now this was helpful

[@jamesrichard6458]

Thanks for the good info

[@lilouwap3011]

hey my car makes a knocking noise only when i’m slowing down and speeding up around 15-30 mph. i have no codes/lights on my dash and it’s the same pace of knocking. do you have idea what that may be?

[@kmaiaa2325]

Question, What about if it's when you start your car? Especially in the mornings and if my car's been sitting a while when its first started. It's ticking when I accelerate, and when I let off the throttle, it goes away. "2008 Rav4 3.5 v6 160k,"

[@MrRudeBert]

I just bought a Jag XF 2012 3.0 V6. I know it needs a good service but I had to drive it home. I’m now getting a ticking noise top of engine. Smells of fumes bit o smoke. Not going to drive anymore until service done. But worried I might have caused another issue due to driving home with bad or low oil.

[@kieleygoldsmith1627]

I have what I describe as a popping sound when I accelerate. It’s pretty rhythmic with acceleration until I’ve gained more speed. Then it is a little more sporadic. I have a video of the sound if you have a way for me to send it to you? Would love to get your feedback.

[@timnimmo3269]

Hey man I’m not a mechanic but i do have a few questions to ask about my diesel engine, Iv changed the glow plug in cylinder 2 and the light is now off and then I did an oil change with a new filter inside and I have managed to improve it quite a bit but there is still a slight ticking noise in the engine and when I giver some gas it speeds up Is it normal in diesel engines?

[@jim2611]

Hi, great video. I have a ticking noise when I accelerate up a hill on my 2007 Toyota Corolla 1.8L sedan ZRE152. The car vibrates on idle. There is no dash engine light warning at any stage to indicate an OBD-detectable fault. At the beginning of February, it started vibrating on idle, hesitant on acceleration and there was pinging (knocking). I took it to a mechanic who said I must’ve filled up on bad low-octane petrol. I did fill up with Ethanol 10% E10 petrol at a budget place when my tank was nearly empty so I believed him. The car is designed to run on E10 and 91-octane petrol. The mechanic advised me to fill up on 98 octane petrol - at the time my tank was half full when I added 98 but after a couple of days it made no difference. But I’ve been filling up with 98 since. The idle vibration seemed manageable as, despite it also pinging, the car didn’t vibrate when driving - only at idle. On 7 Feb I was returning home late at night when I heard an almighty bang. The fan belt broke. I limped the car home without overheating the engine. As it turned out, the water pump seized and broke so I replaced the water pump & coolant and the new fan belt was appropriately tightened. Still, the car idled with vibrations and the pinging was still there. Could the broken and stuck water pump have thrown the engine timing out of whack??? So I changed the air filter, spark plugs (old ones only 16K!), and ignition coils and did an oil change. I cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor properly. I used a mechanic’s stethoscope and I could hear the fuel injectors working. Still, the vibration problem and my OBD meter can’t detect a problem. I took it to a couple of mechanics and their professional OBD meters were the same - no faults. One mechanic took it for a drive and said he heard misfires - that’s when I changed the plugs and coils. It’s puzzling - any ideas? Jim Sydney, Australia

[@thomasshofner6065]

Motor mounts possibly.

[@arthursmith643]

PVC valve needs changing.

[@dirtyboy8336]

It’s a long story, but this is a very funny truck that was given to me down from family. I wish the best out of it because it’s my first vehicle.

[@GigaSentientGod]

Me too haha congrats brother best of luck

[@soychicano5782]

I have a 1995 cadillac deville i just had a oil change and am now hearing a knocking sound when the car warms up for about 15 to 20 minutes later i do not know what it could be or where it comeing from any help would be very much appreciated

[@michaelcarter4145]

Is my Cadillac escalade safe to drive while the ticking noise exist?

[@Lorelei_Valisari]

Ugh I’m having this issue now. The ticking sound when I start it and when I give the car gas and in idle I took it to my mechanic he changed the oil out in Lucas oil and it still doing it. I had a exhaust leak code a bit ago, also I know the car is noisy like the springs so I’m thinking wheel bearings , but the ticking is annoying and embarrassing people outside hear it they stare at me and look under the car and it’s like ugh 😒 I just bought this car in February used of course but it wasn’t making this noise when I bought it I just don’t know what to do and I don’t drive it much bc I don’t want it to break down so I’m waiting on mechanic

[@DaniboTheReckless]

What happens if the noise only happens when you slow down, or decelerate

[@JohnnyRay920]

I had my 2005 buick lesabre sitting idling after replacing the alternator and suddenly something in the engine bay started ticking rapidly for a few minutes, then went away. It sort of reminded me of a relay rapidly opening and closing. Oil level is good and the oil is fresh. Oil pressure is good at around 65 psi. Not sure what it could be.

[@stockings3333]

I am experiencing similar issues, after alternator serpentine belt replacement, got a tick sounding like valve at idle and increases with rpm.. It sounds like ut isnt happy like that too. Please advise whether the tension beung incorrect can cause it and any way to resolve?

[@nasirahmadi25]

I have doge 5500 gas engine, when accelerating it hard when it’s parked it starts noise from the inside of the engine, or when driving on the freeway comes and goes but everything starts with idling or accelerating, what would it be that I should take care of it and anyone can tell me how much approximately cost to fix it. Thanks

[@Savage11798]

I went to my dealer so many times they tell me they don’t hear nothing that the car sounds brand new everytime im tried of going to the dealer they don’t do shit

[@howboutthis2110]

If it's to much work they'll tell u they don't know what it is so they don't have to do it

[@dangerdanger5411]

Bet they still charged you didn’t they.

[@Savage11798]

@@dangerdanger5411 yup 200

[@asadb1990]

They run the clock on warranty and bank on you the buyer to give up trying so hard.

[@jamesgilliland2229]

Probably because it’s still under warranty dealers are wrong I work for one and they don’t wanna tell a customer they have a leaking transmission or oil pan or timing cover gasket right until their warranty is up so they have to pay out of pocket and the dealer gets paid , all warranty work is free work

[@matthedrick8829]

When idling I never hear it...while driveing when I let off the accelerator I get a ticking. It stops as soon as I come back into the accelerator..and sometimea when I start accelerating it does it a little but stops when i get to speed...but mainly when i let off...i got a code for a bad catalytic converter wld that cause this ticking..

[@parkers7009]

Would a bad egr or egr tube cause a ticking? When idling I can hear ticking near the egr. It increases louder when accelerating and it feels like it lost power.

[@wally7856]

Yes

[@parkers7009]

@@wally7856 I ordered all the new parts. I’m gonna try to fix it

[@wally7856]

@@parkers7009 Get a long screwdriver or a stick. Hold 1 end to your ear and the other to the egr valve. It should be obvious if that's what's making the noise.

[@parkers7009]

@@wally7856 thanks I’ll try that. I already have all the new parts though. Upper tube that goes into the intake manifold and lower tube that connects to manifold plus new egr valve

[@6lackRain]

@@parkers7009what happened

[@jesusgallardo843]

2013 Dodge Charger RT Changed my camshaft position sensor. Now I having a ticking noise. I moved the starter out of the way installed the part . I had trouble making the crankshaft flush. But now my new problem is the ticking. Anyone familiar with this situation?

[@thomasstewart655]

I have a 2012 madza cx9 mines rattles on the right side only when i eccelerate and i notice my power steering hose is leaving

[@RTJ3DCosplay]

i have an odd one... a sound coming from what seems to be the belt area of the engine but the noise GOES SCIELNT over 3k rpm ! under that you hear the noise, if your coasting with the clutch is also goes quite... what would cause that ?

[@milkdank3369]

Mine too

[@RTJ3DCosplay]

@@milkdank3369 change the water pump and rubber belt on the left of the engine that was the problem for me.

[@tripplebben8781]

I have the case of a rattling sound only at a certain RPM, but only when driving. If I’m not driving and then rev the engine, even at that RPM, no rattling sound. What can cause this issue?

[@LR_PX]

Did u find the problem

[@markmarquez7348]

How to you explain tapping with out any codes

[@mrs.k6169]

Right, I'm having that problem. I got it check and no codes other than tire sensor code, but all ford expedition do thatand my tires aren't bad, I'll get them filled bit they're not what's causing the sound I hear when it's idling. It loud ticking and gets faster when driven.

[@maegantucker973]

Mine did that it was the timing chain

[@will2dmax1]

Our engine is making a strange noise 2.5 liter skyactive engine,its not a ticking, it's like a run on sound, its hard to describe can't figure out what it is

[@Danielcruz6123]

I had loud lifters so I changed them, spark plugs and cables Got an oil pressure switch code so i changed it and the oil temperature sensor Now im getting another tik from engine and oil pressure wont go to 40 where it use to be at all the time Any ideas?

[@ccnaz1]

Could be your timing chain tensioner/timing chain.

[@yousfshamsi1575]

I have ticking sounds loud early morning when the engine is cold and in 10mins it goes away but during the first 10 mins its loud and get louder if i accelerate. It all increases with time. Any advise?

[@ibziahmed9750]

check manifold gasket on engine block

[@derekharkenrider674]

I have a very loud rattling noise only when idling only, when it's over 1,000 RPMs vehicle works perfectly fine, 2012 Dodge caravan

[@zacharyhouglin9626]

Heat shield

[@Stormmaniac]

When in idle i dont have a ticking sound but say i went to the store and its in idle ill hear ticking? 08 civic lx coupe any input would be appreciated!

[@Amahyze777]

Did you figure it out?

[@Obi1R2-ju6lz]

Hi my car starts making like motor sound when moving forward but when just running the engine without moving it don't make that sound. What mechanic issue is this please help?

[@frankcobbs8350]

Same here, check manifold gasket, also check to make sure you don't have exhaust leak, or cracked manifold

[@frostriver8686]

Our Cadillac XT4 rattles when it’s cold in park and the frequency goes up and down with RPMs until the engine heats up. Had it to two dealers and they can’t find it 🙄

[@dylaninnes8541]

Buddy attached a zip tie to a rotating part so it "ticks" as our spins 😂

[@damirtuzlic8752]

HAHAHHAHA bruh I’m hoping to god that’s what’s happening to me currently

[@animefan2v]

Can be somebody help me, my car has a ticking noise it usually happens and its very loud when i am driving uphill and the RPM below 3,000 but when i step hard on the gas pedal when it reaches 3,000 up rpm the noise is gone..

[@calebharms7372]

Check exhaust manifold, I one time had a ticking/screeching noise, my exhaust manifold heat shield had rusted off and was chattering. May not be it, but could check

[@jonathanspencer8305]

My ticking starts at acceleration, goes for about 3 blocks and goes away...

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

Sounds like a mad typewriter and it is not constant , comes on for a short time at low speeds , comes on when stopped , comes on with foot on gas pedal shuts off if foot is off gas pedal . This is not constant it is intermittent and yes everything on the Toyota has been inspected and sure enough the mechanic did not hear it on two test drives and while in the shop. As the mechanic says if it is the purge valve and it goes bad it will give me the dreaded CEL on the dashboard. I noticed that in a different problem I had unrelated to noise , that the CEL would come on the left side of the instrument panel and Toyota figured you might miss that light so another idiot light come on the right side of the panel. I miss carburetors and simple wiring.

[@ss8512]

Mine only ticks at idle. When the car is warmed up. First start no sound

[@MarcyMckeefer]

Same here, mine is a really rapid tick, all of the noises for the lifters and loose spark plug etc are a lot slower than what mine sounds like.

[@wilba2222]

Hey uhhm so both your problems are a bad purge valve solenoid same happened to my ve commodore hope that helps

[@MarcyMckeefer]

@@wilba2222 so I have had this rapid ticking for awhile now, I also have had an issue where after I drive and the car is warmed up and I stop somewhere when I go to start it up again it will have a long crank before it starts and will randomly do that, didn’t think they were related. Then I started getting a code for a large evap leak and was told it was probably the purge valve so changed it hoping it would fix the long crank but it didn’t and then couple weeks later got the code again for the large evap leak and it’s never stopped the ticks lol.

[@Triumph67825]

I got a 2008 v8 4runner. The purge valve is ticking and when I pull the vacuum line (after the engine warms up) the purge valve sucks in air intermittently (at the same speed as it was ticking). I also gave codes P0455 and P0441. Could the ticking purge valve be the issue? Or is the ticking normal? I keep finding conflicting info on this.