Regular oil changes are the ground reality of every vehicle since they keep them in top shape. But a nerve-wracking experience that every vehicle owner faces at some point after an oil change is a ticking noise from the engine.
The ticking noise can emanate from the engine after oil for different reasons. Low oil levels, inferior quality oil, air bubbles in the oil system, and malfunctioning oil filters are some of the common reasons.
If you figure out the reason and can fix it on your own you should instantly do it. However, if the problem is beyond your knowledge you should seek professional help. This article will help in diagnosing and fixing the engine ticking noise after an oil change. So let’s get to it:
What Are the Reasons for the Ticking Noise After an Oil Change?
An oil change is important for the vehicle’s health. But if you encounter repetitive, metallic clicking noise out of the engine after the process, you should look out for the reasons behind it. The ticking noise intensity can vary as per your vehicle’s speed and temperature.
But remember clicking noises are not bound to only when you rev the engine. It can emanate when the vehicle is idle or when you accelerate it which is a classic sign of a problem with your vehicle engine.
Below are some of the main reasons for the engine ticking after an oil change:
Low-Quality Engine Oil or Insufficient Oil level:
Whenever you encounter a clicking noise after an oil change, you should first look out for your engine oil’s viscosity. If your engine oil is of low quality and has incorrect viscosity ratios, it will fail to lubricate the engine components properly. Result? You will hear annoying clicking noises.
In addition, pouring too much or too little engine oil will make for clicking noises. Why? Because too less of oil will lead to limited lubrication in the engine components.
On the other hand, too much lubrication mixes air with the oil, leading to foaming. And foaming leads to increased friction and wear in the long run. So sufficient oil level is crucial for engine health.
Air Trapped in the Oil System:
While excessive engine oil mixes the air with oil, sometimes air bubbles can get stuck in good-level engine oil. These air bubbles can be trapped in the oil passages or around the pump.
These bubbles can take a toll on your vehicle engine’s health as they can disrupt or minimize the oil flow toward its engine component.
So your vehicle’s engine part can make a ticking noise due to increased friction. To ensure that your vehicle engine doesn’t run to make weird noises, it’s essential to purge the air from the oil system properly.
Faulty Oil Filter:
An improperly installed oil filter is another classic reason for the engine knocking after an oil change. The oil filter is responsible for removing contaminants from the oil and maintaining lubrication of the oil.
So if you improperly install it or your oil filter is faulty, it will hinder the oil flow to the engine. Your vehicle engine will get insufficient oil, leading to a ticking sound as the engine components collide.
Loose or Damaged Engine Components:
Oil filtering is not a trivial task. In fact, it entails different activities like removing the oil filter, removing the old oil, and pouring in the fresh oil. So during this task, you might unintentionally damage or misalign the engine’s kit and caboodle. The engine part in the valve train is particularly prone to issues like ticking noise.
For instance, during the oil change, you disturbed the alignment of the valves, lifters, and rocker’s arms. Now these parts collaborate to ensure proper air and fuel flow into the engine. When its alignment is disturbed, you will hear abnormal noises, including ticking sounds.
On top of that, the worn-out part of the engine can also be the culprit. Proper lubrication can expose the underlying issues as the lubrication increases. You will hear an engine ticking noise if any engine parts are damaged.
If you encounter a ticking or squeaking noise from the engine when idle after an oil change, you should look out for the potential reasons. After identifying, you can troubleshoot the ticking problem.
How to Diagnose the Reason Behind the Ticking Noise?
Here is what you need to do to unveil the reason for the ticking noise of your engine after the oil change.
Check Oil Level and Viscosity:
Inadequate oil levels or low-quality oil is also a culprit. So to check if these are the culprits behind the nerve-wracking ticking noise, you should get a dipstick. Put the dipstick in the engine oil and check if it is within the recommended threshold.
Here is a video showing how to read a dipstick:
Moreover, you can also learn how to read the dipstick here:
If you see the dipstick is showing too much or too less of the oil, you should pour or remove the oil respectively. Moreover, by looking at the dipstick, you can also tell if there is enough viscosity in the engine oil.
Note that oil viscosity for every vehicle varies. Usually, the unit for measuring viscosity is 5W30. The first half refers to oils viscosity at low temperatures and the second half is for operating temperatures.
Moreover, the lower the first half and high the first half is better for optimal viscosity. However, you should see a mechanic if you can’t figure it out on your own.
Verify Proper Oil Filter Installation:
The second major reason for the engine ticking is faulty air filter installation. You should head to the oil filter and ensure it’s tightly secured. Note the too-tight oil filter can hinder the oil flow to the engine parts, so ensure that it’s adequately sealed. Moreover, you should get a new one if your vehicle oil filter is damaged and can’t fit properly.
Check the Engine Components for Damage or Looseness:
Engine components work in harmony to move your vehicle. So whenever you change the oil and hear a ticking noise look for the engine parts’ alignment. You must check the alignment of the valves, lifters, and rocker’s arms to see if they are working right.
If a ticking noise occurs due to these parts, you should avoid fixing it yourself. Instead, seek professional help to address the problem.
Oil System Flush:
If air bubbles are stuck in the oil, you must flush the oil system. While you can do the oil flush yourself by following the guidelines from your vehicle’s manual, seeking professional help is better to do it correctly.
Here is a video showing how to do the oil system flush:
Other Considerations:
You should seek a professional mechanic’s help if ticking noise persists. Moreover, many vehicle companies offer services to troubleshoot your vehicle issue, so you should check them out to see if they can fix it.
With the right tools and knowledge, an expert can better help your vehicle. In fact, if your vehicle is under warranty, you should claim the warranty to troubleshoot the ticking problem.
How to Avoid the Engine Ticking After Oil Changes?
If you encounter engine ticking problems more often you might wonder if there is any way I can avoid it in the first place. Yes, by following the below-mentioned practices you can overcome it.
Get a Good Quality Oil
Your vehicle manual always has the details about the correct oil type and viscosity for your engine’s better health. You should check that out to see if the oil you are pouring into the engine is correct or not. For instance, Mobil 112906 Super HI Mile 5W30 is a good choice since it offers ideal viscosity for your vehicle. However, you should seek professional assistance if you can’t figure it out.
You can get good lubrication for your engine parts with good quality oil which can diminish the chance of the engine ticking after an oil change.
Proper Oil Filter Installation
If you are a DIY enthusiast you should carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure correct installation. But getting a helping hand is a good choice if you can’t figure it out.
You should properly tighten and secure oil filters. make sure they are not too tight nor too loose to prevent ticking noises caused by oil restrictions or foaming.
Do Regular Oil Changes
It is better to do the oil changes regularly with the right interval. In fact, every vehicle has its own recommendations for the oil change interval. So you should check out your vehicle’s instructions to plan the next oil change.
Regular oil changes can ensure proper lubrication. Moreover, an Oil change can also minimize the accumulation of debris or contaminants that could lead to ticking sounds.
Monitoring Oil Levels and Quality
Always keep a dipstick in your vehicle’s toolkit. Why? To regularly check your vehicle oil level and its quality. You can get an idea of your engine oil health via dipstick as its color and consistency can tell you a lot.
If you notice signs like low levels, dirty or foamy oil, or a burnt smell, consider scheduling an oil change or consulting a mechanic for further evaluation.
Thorough Vehicle Check-up
If you want to keep your vehicle engine in top shape you need to do a maintenance check frequently. Get a mechanic’s help for a detailed vehicle inspection so that you can overcome any possible issues like engine ticking and grinding noise when turning the engine off in the future.
Conclusion
Engine ticking after an oil change can be worrisome for you. But it frequently occurs due to minor issues that you can fix with proper troubleshooting and maintenance.
However, before troubleshooting you need to understand the possible causes. After that, you should seek professional help to fix it or you can do it yourself. Moreover, if you implement preventive measures, you can address and prevent engine ticking effectively.
Remember, if you are uncertain or the issue persists, it is always a good approach to consult a professional mechanic. They possess the expertise to diagnose and address any underlying problems accurately.
Leave a Reply