Engine Knocking or Ticking Noise
Engine noise that wasn't there before is the engine telling you something is wearing — catch it early and you can avoid a rebuild.
Severity: High
What to Do Right Now
Check oil level and color immediately. If it's clean and full, get the noise diagnosed before it gets worse — bearing knock can destroy an engine in hours.
Common Causes
- Low or dirty engine oil: Single cheapest thing to check. Pull the dipstick — if it's low or black, top off or change the oil and filter in the correct viscosity. Shop motor oil
- Worn lifters or lash adjusters: Cold-start ticking that goes away when warm is usually a lifter. Aggressive ticking that stays is a collapsed lifter — replace and inspect the cam lobe. Shop lifters
- Loose timing chain or guide: Rattling from the front of the engine, especially at startup, points to a stretched chain or worn tensioner. Shop timing chain
- Detonation (pinging) from low octane or carbon: Metallic ping under load is usually wrong-octane fuel or carbon buildup raising compression. Try premium for a tank and consider a top-end carbon clean. Shop fuel injector cleaner
- Worn rod or main bearing (serious): Deep, heavy knock that rises with RPM is a rod bearing — pull the oil pan and check immediately. Continued running can spin a bearing. Shop engine bearings