# Weird car noise question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 1, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356 "2007-06-01T15:34:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/1 "2007-06-01T15:34:30Z")
Ok, so not too long ago, I had my oil switch and my starter replaced. The dealer said that the pcv valve and things associated with it needed to be replaced. I still haven’t seen my mechanic yet, because I have been so busy. I took my car out to a campground and after driving on the grass, I noticed a funny noise coming from my engine. It’s sort of a clanking sound, like there is a quarter rumbling around in a dryer. My car (Saab 9-3 SE, 2000) still has really good performance. However, this noise is bugging me. All this sort of happened all of a sudden (I went to the campground last weekend). I thought it was the cold air, but today I really noticed it. Does anyone have any idea what it is? Speculation welcome.
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### Author:  [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/2 "2007-06-01T15:37:59Z")
Have you checked your oil level lately?
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/3 "2007-06-01T15:44:07Z")
Check the oil level **NOW**
Pray to whatever deity you hold dear that you have not already done damage to the engine.
There are other possibilities, but PCV issues\* + strange noises from engines sometimes = blown up engines.
\*PCV problems can either cause an engine to leak oil or to consume oil. Research has shown that a lack of oil is considered a bad thing.
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### Author:  [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/4 "2007-06-01T16:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=Rick]
Check the oil level **NOW**
Pray to whatever deity you hold dear that you have not already done damage to the engine.
There are other possibilities, but PCV issues\* + strange noises from engines sometimes = blown up engines.
\*PCV problems can either cause an engine to leak oil or to consume oil. Research has shown that a lack of oil is considered a bad thing.
[/QUOTE]
Dont freak the guy out! Explain to me how he could “blow up” his engine and not have any decrease in performance?
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/5 "2007-06-01T16:35:59Z")
Lack of oil pressure to the crank shaft. Connecting rods do not get enough oil, and instead of riding on a film of oil, crankshaft starts hitting the bearing direct. A noise similar to a quarter in a dryer is produced. Keep driving this way and very shortly a picture window will appear in the side of the engine block as the connecting rod is torn from the crankshaft, and decides to vacation somewhere else.
In the auto repair business we often file this under sucks to be you.
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### Author:  [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/6 "2007-06-01T17:24:16Z")
Chill out
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/7 "2007-06-01T17:35:00Z")
[QUOTE=Sigene]
Chill out
[/QUOTE]
That was my first thought as well. If it only happens when you drive slow, pop off your hubcaps/wheel covers and see if anything falls out.
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### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/8 "2007-06-01T17:35:49Z")
Well, I’ve never seen oil leaked. I have an almost brand new garage floor (that blue stuff that you buy at Home Depot doesn’t appear to last), no oil leak there. No oil leak in the gym parking lot (then again, by the time I get out, it’s pretty close to dark). I have no oil in my parking space at work (but, then again, it’s suprisingly dirty). The only thing that I did notice recently was water, and I assume that it’s some sort of condensation from running my air conditioner.
I just got back from checking my oil. Saab has a weird oil cap and dip stick. The thing isn’t very intuitive. I actually busted out my owner’s manual, and it looks like I have enough oil. For kicks, I checked the transmission fluid, and that’s at max. I’m not parked on exactly flat ground (underground space, yes, I’m spoiled), the engine is slightly more elevated than the back of the car, I’ll say 3-4 degrees. Though, I still wonder if it is oil.
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### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/9 "2007-06-01T17:37:38Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P]
That was my first thought as well. If it only happens when you drive slow, pop off your hubcaps/wheel covers and see if anything falls out.
[/QUOTE]
I did drive over some largish branches (thick enough to use as a walking stick). Thta’s when I first heard it. But, it sounds like it’s coming from the engine. Though, I did notice it today when I was driving really slow into the garage.
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### Author:  [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/10 "2007-06-01T17:47:55Z")
Does the noise change apprecianly with RPMs or road speed? This might help in a diagnosis.
I was thinking that you might have knocked a heat shield loose.
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### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/11 "2007-06-01T17:54:36Z")
[QUOTE=Baracus]
Does the noise change apprecianly with RPMs or road speed? This might help in a diagnosis.
I was thinking that you might have knocked a heat shield loose.
[/QUOTE]
No, it’s constant. It also sounds like a diesel truck.
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### Author:  [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/12 "2007-06-01T18:17:30Z")
that’s a good guess. I’m leaning towards that now.
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/13 "2007-06-01T18:53:49Z")
Well I am glad it appears that it was not an oil related knock.
[QUOTE=mazinger\_z]
> [@Baracus](#):
>
> Does the noise change apprecianly with RPMs or road speed? This might help in a diagnosis.
>
> I was thinking that you might have knocked a heat shield loose.
No, it’s constant. It also sounds like a diesel truck.
[/QUOTE]
Open the engine compartment and remove the [monkey with the cymbals](http://store.drumbum.com/media/monkey-cymbals-drums.jpg). Because off the top of my head, I can think of no noise coming out of an engine compartment that A) sounds like either a diesel truck / quarter in a dryer that does not vary with either engine speed or road speed. Therefore I am going with it is either:
A) A monkey with cymbals
B) The Energizer bunny
C) A bad description by the OP, and the sound in fact does vary with either engine RPM or road speed.
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### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/14 "2007-06-01T19:02:25Z")
[QUOTE=Rick]
Well I am glad it appears that it was not an oil related knock.
Open the engine compartment and remove the [monkey with the cymbals](http://store.drumbum.com/media/monkey-cymbals-drums.jpg). Because off the top of my head, I can think of no noise coming out of an engine compartment that A) sounds like either a diesel truck / quarter in a dryer that does not vary with either engine speed or road speed. Therefore I am going with it is either:
A) A monkey with cymbals
B) The Energizer bunny
C) A bad description by the OP, and the sound in fact does vary with either engine RPM or road speed.
[/QUOTE]
Some new guys in my IT department used to be mechanics. I’m going to take them for a ride to see what this might be. Now that I think about it, I don’t hear it at high speeds, but then again, I have the radio on and the windows mostly up.
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### Author:  [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/15 "2007-06-01T19:03:11Z")
Since it may be related to the little off road excursion, wouldn’t be logical to take a good look under the car?
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/16 "2007-06-01T19:39:10Z")
[QUOTE=mazinger\_z]
Some new guys in my IT department used to be mechanics. I’m going to take them for a ride to see what this might be. Now that I think about it, I don’t hear it at high speeds, but then again, I have the radio on and the windows mostly up.
[/QUOTE]
:rolleyes: :smack: :dubious:
Did you stop to think that if you are trying to diagnose a noise, turning off the fucking radio and just maybe rolling down the goddamn windows just might maybe be a good idea?
**A.R. Cane** That would be a hell of an idea if A) the OP had a single clue was to what he was looking at, and B) might be bothered to give a proper description of the problem.
::: Shakes head and heads out of this thread.:::
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### Author:  [@d1a1s1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d1a1s1)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/17 "2007-06-01T19:45:16Z")
[QUOTE=Rick]
:rolleyes: :smack: :dubious:
Did you stop to think that if you are trying to diagnose a noise, turning off the fucking radio and just maybe rolling down the goddamn windows just might maybe be a good idea?
**A.R. Cane** That would be a hell of an idea if A) the OP had a single clue was to what he was looking at, and B) might be bothered to give a proper description of the problem.
::: Shakes head and heads out of this thread.:::
[/QUOTE]
:eek: You MUST be a mechanic! 🙂
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### Author:  [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/18 "2007-06-01T20:38:20Z")
Well, seeing as how I didn’t notice it again until today, I saw no reason for concern. I just had my friend look at it, and the noise is coming from the belts (it might just be one belt) from power steering pump. My friend says that the power steering pump might be going bad. I wonder how much this is going to cost?
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### Author:  [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)
#### Post date: [June 1, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-car-noise-question/406356/19 "2007-06-01T20:45:15Z")
A little story as an aside:
My brother-in law is a 20-year automotive technician who has his own commercial shop, builds race cars, and is an overall automotive genius, etc…
Client: My car makes this “clank-clank” sound.
BIL: Ok, let me take it for a test drive. _15 minutes later, returns_ I can’t hear anything, I can’t seem to duplicate the sounds you describe. Why don’t **you** drive and I’l come with you and you can point it out when you hear it?
Client: :rolleyes: …Ok…
_They drive around for another 15 minutes. Nothing, no progress._
Client: Hey, There’s my house. Do you mind if I stop in and grab something?
BIL: Sure, why not.
_She pulls into the driveway_ “Clang-Clang!”
Client: There it is!
BIL: …Back up a bit.
“Clang-Clang!”
Client: There it is again!!
BIL: And forward again.
“Clang-Clang!”
Client: Again!!!
BIL: Ma’am. That is a grate in your driveway. You are driving over a storm drain.
Client… oh.
BIL: Please take me back to the garage.
ETA: I should point out to the OP that this story is in no way a suggestion towards them and that this thread simply reminded me of the story…