While driving, you may have noticed a noise coming from the front-end of your car that sounds like something out of a horror movie. If so, read on to discover the potential cause for a couple of common terrifying sounds that a car makes when something is not quite right.
1. High-pitch Screeching or Squealing When You Start Your Car
One particularly disturbing noise you may hear coming from under the hood of your car is often heard when you first start your car. You may hear a high-pitch screeching or squealing that resembles a large bat or even a ghost shrieking in a dark hallway.
Fortunately, the sound coming from your car is not being caused by a flying mammal or specter. Instead, the problem most likely lies with one of the serpentine belts that control either the fan, air conditioner, or alternator.
When one of these belts get old, they start to stretch and are unable to fully grab onto the pulley around which they are wrapped. As a belt rotates and slips on the pulley, it creates the hair-raising sound you hear.
Once the belt's material heats up and expands, the noise usually stops. This problem is easily fixed by having the loose serpentine belt replaced.
2. Groaning When You Turn the Steering Wheel
Another strange noise you may hear while driving is a groaning sound every time you turn the wheel. Whether you try to go left or right, it sounds as if Frankenstein's monster has awakened in the engine bay of your car.
However, you do not need to get out the fire to torch the monster. Instead, you probably need to have your power steering pump checked out by an auto professional.
If the power steering fluid is low or the line has air in it, creating frothy fluid, the pressure within the system is no longer maintained. As the low-level or frothy fluid attempts to circulate, the pump is unable to fully push it through the system, creating the monstrous noise.
To fix the problem, usually the fluid's level needs to simply be refilled, and the leak found and repaired. However, if the problem is not fixed promptly, the strain on the pump may burn it out, making it necessary to replace it.
If you hear either of the sounds above coming from the front-end of your car, there is no need to perform an exorcism, as there is most likely a more mundane problem and solution. Take your car to an auto service shop near you so that a mechanic can determine the cause of the horrific noise and make the necessary repairs.
Share13 July 2019
Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.