In a car, we treat the engine as if it’s the heart of the machine — and rightfully so! The engine inside of a car acts as the driver of both power and comfort, and without it, we’d be going nowhere. And while many people expect the engine to last forever, that sometimes isn’t the case. While many things can go wrong, something as simple as ticking can throw off the entire functionality. So, what does it mean if your engine begins ticking? We’ve got a few answers below.
Normal Noise
In a perfect world, a ticking engine would just be a sound that your car makes on its own, with nothing indicating something bad happening. This is sometimes pointed out by owners as a cause for concern, however sometimes just isn’t noticed readily. If you begin hearing this with no indicators of faulty performance, you may be in the clear — however it is probably best to get a second opinion at the very least.
Low Oil
Sometimes, oil levels can drop depending on if there’s a leak or if the oil is being burned during the engine’s use. The best way to check this is to let your car run for a few minutes, and turn it off. Once it’s cooled off, pull out your dipstick and check the level of the oil. If it’s below the dot indicating it’s low, it would be in your best interest to change the oil as soon as possible in order to protect the engine and prevent any damage from parts rubbing against one another.
Engine Issues
Worst case scenario, your valves are out of adjustment and you may need engine repair. Additionally, this could be caused by an engine knock, which is also a larger issue to consider. However if you’re not sure if this is something to worry over, it’s important to make sure that you have this checked out as soon as possible in order to remedy it before it becomes a larger issue.
Contact Southport Automotive Service today for automotive maintenance and repair you can trust.