Why does my car make a ticking noise when I start the engine?
Why does my car make a ticking noise when I start the engine? A loose piston pin, for example, causes a sharp double knock usually heard when the engine is idling, or during sudden acceleration then deceleration of the engine. A piston pin that has been improperly fitted will emit a light ticking noise that is more noticeable with no load on the engine. Can you drive a car with a ticking engine? As mentioned, exhaust leaks (at the headers) sounds like ticking, as does injector failure. If it is a light duty sounding tick and the oil level is...