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Do-it-yourselfer question:
I have a '96 Caravan with a 3.0 litre V6 engine. As I traveled home from the store, it started to make a ticking sound and began to run very rough. What could be wrong?
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The Professor says:
There are at least two reasons why engines make ticking noises and you'll find neither one of them comforting. One cause is an overheating engine. While the engine block and its accessories heat up, a ticking noise can be heard as the hot metal expands. Low oil pressure can also cause a ticking noise in an engine's valve train. Hydraulic lifters collapse during low pressure situations, increasing clearances between moving parts. As push-rods and lifters slap together the resulting ruckus can be heard coming from the valve covers.
Of course, the engine cannot be expected to run smoothly in either scenario. Overheating engines and sloppy valve trains both serve to lower engine compression and efficiency. When such a noise is heard, carefully check your engine's vital fluids. Cooling system operational checks and even oil pressure testing are logical next steps if oil and coolant levels are appropriate.
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