6 Causes of engine ticking noise

The engine ticking noise really makes the driving experience more uncomfortable. Especially if the noises occur when we are in travelling for long distances. To trace the cause of the engine ticking noise is not easy.

Apart from these different engine constructions, the condition and timing of ticking noise in the engine also determine the difficulty when we want to detect such noise.

There are many situations for the engine ticking noise would appear, for example:

Some ticking noise occurs only when the engine is cold, some other the noise comes when the engine is in an idling rpm.
Engine ticking noise occurs only at high engine speed, and some other, the noise occurs at various engine speeds.

In the following article, we will inform you of several causes of engine ticking noises that often occur.

1. The valve clearance is too large

The most common cause of engine ticking noise and often experienced by many vehicles is the engine valve clearance (valve gap) is too large. The valve clearance is a distance between the valve ends rod and the rocker arm.

The valve clearance has a specific value recommended by the engine manufacturer. The different car has different valve clearance value. You can find the valve clearance value on your car service manual book. When the valve clearance has passed the recommended value,its often causing engine ticking noise.

We usually hear the engine ticking noise due to large valve clearance at various engine revolutions. Starting from idling rpm, middle rpm, to high rpm. The engine ticking noise will get louder when the engine rpm increases.

To overcome the engine ticking noise due to large valve clearance value, you need to reset the valve clearance value according to your car's recommended specifications.

2. Bad Auto Valve Lifter (Hydraulic Lash Adjuster)

Valve adjustment is no longer necessary for most middle and premium types of cars. Instead, they added an auto valve lifter type component that can adjust the valve clearance automatically.

They use hydraulic type that utilise engine oil pressure to maintain the valve's distance and stretch clearance. This component is often known as Hydraulic Lash Adjuster / Auto Lash Adjuster. This component is usually installed between the rocker arm and the valve.

Inside the Hydraulic Lash Adjuster, there is a spring. Along with the time with engine operates, the spring inside the hydraulic auto lash adjuster will weaken over time.

As a result, the valve gap between the rocker arm and end rod valve can no longer be maintained properly. It will cause engine ticking noise, either at low engine speed or at high engine speed.

The ticking noise that appears can be heard when the engine rpm is still idling and when the engine is accelerating. This noises condition is the same as when the valve gap is too large(as previously explained).

To overcome the ticking noise due to bad auto lash adjuster, replace the component (auto valve lifter) entirely. There can be repaired by bleeding and cleaning the auto valve lifter in some conditions, but generally, it won't last long.

3. Worn-out main bearings and conrod bearings

The next cause of the engine ticking noise is worn-out main bearings and conrod bearings. Main bearing functions to support the crankshaft and Conrod Bearing functions to support the connecting rod.

When wear occurs on these two bearings, it often hears a loud and deep ticking noise from inside the engine. This ticking noises, sometimes heard small when the engine rpm is low, but it will be loud when the engine speed is high.

To overcome this condition, the best way is to get down the total engine for re-measurement and replacement of bearings according to the car manufacturer's minimum gap.

4. Damper pully rubber on the crankshaft is damaged or broken

The crankshaft pulley (Damper pulley) is a component that is installed right in front of the crankshaft and becomes the driving centre of other engine components such as the alternator, AC compressor, radiator fan, or power steering pump.

The damper pulley generally has a rubber damper that functions to dampen shocks when there is a change in speed by the engine. This rubber is installed between the outer pulley and the inner pulley.

When the rubber damper is damaged, broken, or is no longer adhered to, the outer pulley will roll out of the way as the engine rotates. As a result, the pulley outside will rub against the engine's front cover, causing a ticking noise in the engine.

To deal with the engine ticking noise due to broken or damaged crankshaft pulley rubber, you need to replace the crankshaft pulley assy. However, apart from replacing the pulley with a new one, welding usually can also overcome this problem. Welding can lose the ticking noise, but the damping effect will be lost, and it can make the belt slip quickly.

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5. The flywheel flange is damaged or broken

The flywheel flange referred to this article is the flange in the automatic car flywheel. This flange flywheel is a place for the torque converter.

From my experience, this flywheel flange can be the cause of the engine ticking noise. The main cause is that the flywheel flange is partially broken, causing the flange rubbing against the engine body.

Its special characteristic is that the ticking noise that arises is more pronounced at the engine's rear close to the transmission.

Solving the engine ticking noise problem caused by a broken flywheel flange is replacing it with a new flywheel flange because if it is repaired, the flange usually cannot be flattened anymore and keep shaking.

6. A hard object enters one of the engine cylinders

Getting a hard object into one of the engine cylinders can also cause the engine ticking noise. The causes can be various, such as a mechanic who is negligent in service and makes a ring or washer falls into the intake hole. Some of the valves are broken, or there is something that occurs due to broken spark plug ceramics due to the spark plug never being replaced.

When these hard objects enter the engine cylinder, and the engine is turned on; usually it will damage the engine due to the collision of these hard objects which is indicated by the appearance of ticking noise from the engine. The engine will become limping and brittle when the engine is running in addition to the engine ticking noise.

To overcome this, the engine inspection must be carried out carefully, starting from the compression test to disassembling the engine to determine the cause of the engine ticking noise problem.