Q: Loud noise from engine when starting

asked by on February 04, 2016

I hear a loud noise from the engine when I start the car. Also, the water light comes on.

Hello. There are many components that can fail and cause an internal engine noise. On your car the most common is either a failure in the camshaft, this would cause a loud ticking, or a rod bearing which would cause a knocking noise. A mechanic would need to isolate the area that the noise is coming from. In some cases, draining the engine oil and inspecting it for metal shavings is a god indicator of what is going on. In either case, if there is metal in the oil then the engine needs to be replaced. I would enlist the help of a certified mechanic to diagnose your engine’s starting noise to have this issue resolved.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Mileage is getting progressively worse
Hi there. This can be caused by a number of things. If it occurred right after the work was done then you may want to have it double checked. They may have used poor quality wires or the wrong spark...
I have a 2008 nissan armada the battery is brand new when i turn the ignition its not catching theres a clicking sound i try a few
The problem may be in the ignition starter relay or in the starter solenoid. You need to see where the clicking is coming from. If the noise is coming from the starter relay in the fuse box then replace the...
High pressure side of A/C is low (30 psi)
Hi there. It sounds like the AC compressor internal valve or the compressor itself has failed and is allowing refrigerant to sit freely and preventing pressure from accumulating; no suction and no discharge equals same pressure on both sides. You...
Car won't start and the cd player ejected a cd without me touching it. What's going on?
Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. You had mentioned that your battery had 10.1 volts at the time and said that is what the battery usually has. A fully charged battery will have 12.6 volts, a 75% charged battery...
truck shakes alot at 60 mph & steering wheel has alot of play
Hello - assuming the tire balancing was done correctly, the shaking issues (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-a-car-to-shake) could be either a bent wheel, a separating tire (tread separating from the structural belts) or an out-of-round tire. All of these conditions can be "balanced" but...
Oil Viscosity
Toyota's technical advice insofar as oil viscosity for the 2007 Avalon is as follows: "SAE 5W−30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. If SAE 5W−30 is not available, SAE 10W−30 may be...
Slight vibration after 65 mph 2012 Infiniti G37x
Hi there - great problem description and summary of prior work! Next level of diagnostics awaits - if you feel the vibration primarily through your fingertips on the steering wheel, the problem is likely front wheel balance, or a worn...
Truck starts but only runs for a minute
The actual fuel pressure and volume should be measured. Be sure the gas is not older than three months. You do have an OBD-II diagnostic system, so check for diagnostic trouble codes and a real time scanner would help pinpoint...
I need help with my nissan maxima 2005 i was driving down the road then all of a sudden the whole car turned off
You may also want to check the camshaft position sensor as well as this also helps to control ignition timing as well as fuel injection timing. The camshaft position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement) measures the rotational position of the camshaft and transmits...

Related articles

How Are Sensors Used to Improve a Car’s Performance?
Modern vehicles utilize a series of car sensors to improve performance and reduce emissions. The oxygen sensor helps reduce tailpipe emissions.
2012 Honda Civic vs. 2012 Ford Focus: Which One Should I Buy?
One of the best ways to cope with pain at the gas pump is to look at downsizing your vehicle, and today’s compact cars are a great option that allow you to keep the space that you need to move...
How Long Does a Horn Switch Last?
With With all of the danger on the roadways, finding a way to keep yourself and your car safe should be a concern. A car has a variety of different mechanisms that are built into it that will allow for...