Hearing an unexpected clicking sound coming from your car after an oil change is strange. It’s natural to feel concerned and frustrated when unfamiliar noises arise, especially right after routine maintenance.
Here’s why your car clicks after an oil change:
1. You have an oil overfill or underfill
An improper oil level in a car can affect its performance and generate clicking or tapping sounds after an oil change.
Too much oil in the engine can create excessive pressure within the lubrication system. This excess pressure puts stress on various engine components, particularly the crankshaft and bearings.
It can also result in air bubbles forming in the oil, which may lead to foaming and reduced lubrication efficiency, because air bubbles mixes with the oil.
This diminishes the oil’s ability to properly lubricate the engine’s moving parts, leading to increased friction and potentially causing clicking or ticking noises as components rub against each other.
An underfill means having insufficient oil volume which can’t adequately lubricate the engine’s moving parts. This lack of lubrication may cause metal-on-metal contact or increased friction between components, resulting in clicking or tapping sounds.
Solution:
To fix improper oil levels, a mechanic needs to drain or add oil as needed to achieve the correct level recommended by the car manufacturer.
Following the manufacturer’s specifications and guidelines for the proper oil type and volume is vital in maintaining optimal engine performance and preventing clicking or tapping sounds caused by oil-related issues.
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2. The oil filter is loose or incorrectly installed
A loose or incorrectly installed oil filter can result in clicking or tapping sounds after an oil change due to:
Vibrations and leakage: If the oil filter isn’t securely tightened or is improperly installed, it might cause vibrations as the engine runs. These vibrations can lead to the filter loosening further or causing slight movements, resulting in a clicking or tapping sound.
Also, a loose filter can cause oil to leak, leading to insufficient lubrication and potential damage to engine components.
Air intake or oil circulation issues: Improperly fitted oil filters might allow air to enter the system or disrupt the smooth circulation of oil.
Air trapped in the filter or oil passages can cause clicking noises as the air moves through the engine or as oil struggles to flow efficiently.
Filter housing contact: In cases where the filter housing or the filter itself comes into contact with other engine components due to poor installation, vibrations or contact-induced friction can produce clicking or tapping sounds.
Signs of a Loose or Incorrectly Installed Oil Filter:
- Oil leaks: Visible oil leaks around the oil filter area or beneath the car can be a sign of a loose or improperly sealed filter.
- Drop in oil pressure: A sudden drop in oil pressure indicated on the dashboard gauge or a warning light illuminating may suggest a potential issue with the oil filter or its installation.
- Abnormal engine sounds: Clicking, tapping, or rattling noises from the engine compartment, particularly after an oil change, could indicate a loose or incorrectly installed oil filter.
- Reduced Performance: If the engine isn’t receiving adequate lubrication due to a faulty oil filter installation, it might result in reduced engine performance, such as rough idling or decreased power.
Solution:
Inspect the oil filter and ensure it’s the correct one for your car. Properly tighten the filter according to the manufacturer’s specifications. However, avoid overtightening, which can also cause issues.
Check for any signs of leaks or abnormal sounds after reinstallation.
A mechanic can also assess this to address a loose or incorrectly installed oil filter.
Regularly monitoring for oil leaks, paying attention to dashboard warnings, and listening for any unusual engine sounds after an oil change can help detect issues related to the oil filter installation.
3. You have air trapped in the system
A car clicking after an oil change can also be caused by air trapped in the oil system which creates various problems that might cause clicking or tapping sounds in a car after an oil change.
How this is caused is air bubbles within the oil can diminish its lubricating properties. When air gets trapped in the system during an oil change, it might circulate through the engine, resulting in areas with inadequate lubrication.
This can lead to increased friction between moving parts, causing clicking or tapping noises as components come into contact.
Air trapped in the oil can also cause foaming. This foaming can diminish the oil’s ability to properly lubricate the engine’s components, potentially resulting in clicking or tapping sounds as the engine operates.
Air pockets within the oil system also disrupt the smooth flow of oil to critical engine parts. This interference can lead to uneven oil distribution, causing some areas to receive insufficient lubrication, which in turn can generate clicking noises due to increased friction.
Signs of air trapped in the system:
- Unusual engine noises: Clicking, tapping, or rattling sounds coming from the engine compartment, especially following an oil change.
- Oil pressure warning light: In some cases, air trapped in the system might trigger the oil pressure warning light on the dashboard due to fluctuations or irregular oil flow.
- Poor engine performance: Reduced engine performance, such as rough idling, hesitation, or power loss, might occur if certain engine components aren’t receiving adequate lubrication due to air entrapped in the oil system.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to diagnose problems due to air trapped in the system.
If necessary, they will bleed the system or address any potential causes of air entrapment to ensure proper oil circulation and prevent clicking or tapping noises in the engine.
To minimize the chances of air becoming trapped in the oil system during an oil change, the old oil should be drained completely before adding fresh oil to minimize the likelihood of air pockets forming.
Also, slowly adding the correct amount of oil and allowing it to settle helps to reduce air entrapment.
Some engines have specific bleed valves or procedures to remove air from the oil system. Therefore following the manufacturer’s recommendations for bleeding air from the system can help prevent issues related to air entrapment.
Related: Car shaking when idle after oil change (Explained)
4. It could be worn out or faulty engine parts
Worn-out or faulty engine parts can lead to clicking or tapping sounds in a car after an oil change due to:
Increased oil pressure highlighting wear: Fresh oil used during an oil change might temporarily increase oil pressure within the engine.
This heightened pressure can accentuate existing issues with worn-out components such as lifters, valves, bearings, or camshafts.
These components, when worn, might produce clicking or tapping noises due to increased pressure or changes in oil viscosity.
Lack of proper lubrication: Worn-out engine components may not function optimally or might have increased friction due to wear. If these components aren’t adequately lubricated with fresh oil after an oil change, the lack of proper lubrication can exacerbate the clicking or tapping sounds as worn parts rub against each other.
Degradation over time: Engine components undergo wear and tear as a natural part of their lifecycle. Over time, these components can deteriorate, leading to diminished performance and increased noise as tolerances change, clearances reduce, or parts become misshapen.
Solution:
Seek the expertise of a qualified mechanic to assess the engine to identify specific components causing the clicking noises and replace or repair the affected parts.
5. The oil is contaminated
Clicking or tapping sounds in a car after an oil change can also be due to oil contamination.
Contaminated oil may contain debris, particles, or sludge from previous oil or engine issues. These contaminants can clog oil passages, impair proper lubrication, and cause increased friction between engine components, leading to clicking or tapping noises.
Contaminants in the oil can compromise its ability to lubricate effectively.
When the oil becomes less efficient at reducing friction between moving parts, the resulting metal-on-metal contact can generate clicking or tapping sounds as components interact.
Oil contamination also accelerates wear on engine components. This accelerated wear can manifest as increased noise due to changes in tolerances, misshapen parts, or uneven contact surfaces between components.
Solution:
Seek assistance from a mechanic to assess and rectify the issue effectively.
If contamination is the problem, they will drain and replace the oil with fresh, clean oil of the correct specification for your car.
In severe cases of contamination, an engine flush might be necessary to remove any residual contaminants and ensure proper lubrication.
6. There is excessive oil pressure
Excessive oil pressure in a car after an oil change can lead to clicking or tapping sounds due to an overworked engine impeded oil flow, and stress on the engine parts:
Excessive oil pressure can strain the engine’s components, particularly the oil seals, gaskets, and other sensitive parts.
This strain might cause these components to endure more pressure than they’re designed for, leading to leaks, distortions, or misalignments that could produce clicking or tapping noises.
High oil pressure can prevent the smooth circulation of oil throughout the engine. This impediment in oil flow might create turbulence or erratic oil movement, which could result in noises as the oil struggles to pass through restricted passages.
Solution:
Have a qualified mechanic conduct a thorough inspection and diagnosis. They will confirm if excessive oil pressure is the cause of clicking or tapping sounds after an oil change.
If so, they will make necessary adjustments to restore proper oil pressure levels.
7. Effect of temperature changes
Temperature changes can sometimes trigger clicking or tapping sounds in a car after an oil change.
This happens due to metal expansion and contraction, and changes in oil viscosity.
When the engine undergoes temperature fluctuations, the metal components expand and contract as they heat up or cool down.
This expansion and contraction can occasionally cause parts to slightly shift or settle, leading to brief clicking or tapping noises as the engine adjusts to the temperature changes.
Oil viscosity can be affected by temperature variations. When the engine starts or runs in different temperature conditions, the oil’s viscosity might change, causing it to flow differently through the engine.
This altered flow pattern could momentarily create clicking or tapping sounds as the oil moves through the system.
Clicking or tapping sounds during temperature changes can be normal as the engine adjusts. However, if these sounds persist or intensify significantly, it could indicate underlying issues that need attention.
Signs of Temperature-related clicking:
- Intermittent noises: Clicking or tapping sounds that are sporadic and occur during specific temperature changes, such as when the engine is warming up or cooling down.
- Noises cease as the engine warms: Clicking or tapping sounds may decrease or disappear as the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature.
Solution:
Some clicking or tapping sounds during temperature changes are normal, however, any persistent or pronounced noises should be investigated further to ensure the engine’s health and functionality.
If unsure about the noises’ origin or concerned about potential issues, seek guidance from a qualified mechanic.