Weird Noises.

[98cavalier]

I honestly don't know where I was supposed to post there so I will post it here. I have a 98 cavalier and I'll be honest I don't know much about cars, I'm a pretty typical girl. Yesterday I put oil in my car, which I have done times before, and drove a couple of blocks than came home. Today upon getting in my vehicle, it started making grinding noises along with the occasional booming noise. Yes I know this is very odd details, However It only makes the noises when I accelerate. When my car is in park its fine. Do you have any suggestions of what is wrong with my car?

[teggypimp95]

Have u checked the oil level? Did you put to much in or not enough?

This may have nothin to do with your problems but its a good place to start. Not enough oil can cause problems and so can too much oil.

[98cavalier]

I checked it before I put the oil in and than I put in a full bottle.
Could I have put in too much?
Would it do that if I put too much oil in?

[teggypimp95]

Im not to sure what it could do. WOuld probably be burning oil like crazy if u put in to much. Alot of blue smoke by chance? Check the dip stick to see how much oil is in the car.

[98cavalier]

okay, I'll go check it.
Thanks for your help by the way.
I really don't know anything about cars.

[teggypimp95]

Hey no problem, that may have nothing to do with your problem but since it started right after you put in oil, its a good place to start.

[98cavalier]

So I just checked the oil, and It says to add more.
It was about half full. So it really shouldn't be making noises if its not too low on oil should it?
1 more thing.
I was told to put in 10-30
However when I checked the oil on the thing it said to put in 5 30
does that make a big difference?

[teggypimp95]

10-30 is just thicker than 5-30. It would be a good idea to stick to 5-30 becuase your car may have problems starting in the cold with 10w-30.

On the dip stick it usually shows an area or a min or max lines for the oil. WHere does it land on your oil stick?

Pull it out, wipe it clean, slide it back in, then pull it out and see where the oil line lands.

[98cavalier]

It lands in the middle.
thats why It says add 1 more quart.
But its not at the bottom.
so that must mean its half full right?
Can I add 5-30 now or will it mix badly with the 10-30
I'm probably asking the most dense questions

[Mr_ET]

If you don't mind me asking why did you add oil in the first place? Is the engine leaking oil or is it smoking out of your tailpipe?

When you are sitting in Park if you rev the engine will it make the same noise? Hard to start?

Just trying to narrow it down a bit.

[teggypimp95]

No its all good, if your any where between those 2 lines or the shaded area your fine. Thats where you want to be. You could add a little more but not a full quart. usually the min to the max lines = 1 quart. So if you put in a full quart you will be 2 full. So if your car does burn oil and u keep needing to top it up, go ahead and put a little more in. Mixing the 2 will be fine.

So it sounds like the oil is not your problem then. When your driving the the "boom" come from the exhaust or the engine? And goes the grinding get faster as you go faster? or faster when u rev it up?

[98cavalier]

I added oil because It needed it.
its not hard to start at all though.
I can try to rev the engine and see if it makes the same noise though

[98cavalier]

it seems to get faster the faster I drive.
And louder the faster I drive.
Plus my engine seems to be working to hard.
that thing with the numbers is higher than usual.
and it takes me a long time to accelerate over 50
which is quite odd.
I think the sounds coming from the engine though

[98cavalier]

so it doesnt make weird noises when its it in park and i rev the engine.
why does it do it when im driving?:confused:

[teggypimp95]

Sounds like you got problems! It to hard for me to tell what it could be. Check to make sure all your spark plug wires are tight on both ends. Still no luck, id take it into a place like blaskin and lane.

[teggypimp95]

If only while your moving, could be a Cv boot cracked, or a bad wheel bearing. You need to take it in.

[Mr_ET]

So it's in park and you rev it, it sounds fine and the engine doesn't sound like it's skipping a beat or struggling?

Then in drive you get the noises, any chance your transmission could be the problem? Is it shifting gears the way it normally does? Did you forget to retighten the oil cap?

sounds like either the transmission is the issue or your engine is making weird noises only when under load

[98cavalier]

well thats not good.
Should I drive it in or get it towed?

[Mr_ET]

Is it ticking when you turn one way? A wheel bearing would be a constant grinding noise and would make the steering wheel shake at higher speeds

[teggypimp95]

Originally posted by Mr_ET

any chance your transmission could be the problem? Is it shifting gears the way it normally does? Did you forget to retighten the oil cap?

sounds like either the transmission is the issue or your engine is making weird noises only when under load

:werd:

[Mr_ET]

If it sounds really bad and you are afraid something will break while driving it, get it towed as driving it might cause more damage but from the information you've given us it's quite difficult to pinpoint your problem.

[teggypimp95]

Originally posted by 98cavalier
well thats not good.
Should I drive it in or get it towed?

Depends how far you are from a garage.

[teggypimp95]

Does it shift normally?

[98cavalier]

It definatly is normal when I rev the engine when its in park.
And yes I tightened the oil cap.
It might not be shifting the way its supposed to.
The engine seems to be working very hard when Im going slowly.
Do you think I'm completly fucked.

[teggypimp95]

Could be a transmission problem then. Whichs means could cost you a decent amount of $$

[Mr_ET]

get it towed and have a mechanic you trust look at it.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by teggypimp95
Im not to sure what it could do. WOuld probably be burning oil like crazy if u put in to much. Alot of blue smoke by chance? Check the dip stick to see how much oil is in the car.

FYI You would start to blow seals, etc. if you put too much oil in. You will also start to overheat like crazy...

[98cavalier]

Well its an automatic and it seems to be working very hard.
So maybe its not shifting right?
Im looking up garages near my house.

[410440]

this is kinda of a dumb answer, but is the e-brake on? (or maybe broken and stuck engaged?)

[teggypimp95]

How many Km on the car?

[98cavalier]

well I know its not overheating.

[98cavalier]

alot over 200,000.
And no the e brake isnt on.
Sadly Ive made that mistake before.

[teggypimp95]

Yeah alot over 200,km could be possible for problems like transmission failture etc. Let Us know when you find out what it is. And have them give you a quote when they find out the problem. To see if its worth fixing or just getting a new ride?:dunno: You never know. Good Luck!

[98cavalier]

I will definatly post it when I find out what it is.
This is a really weird thing.
Ive just realized though I can get it towed for free though since I have ama.
but thanks so much for everyones help I really do appreciate it.

[teggypimp95]

No problem, it happins to all of us. Im in the middle of fixing my ride too.

[ga16i]

... since you said you're a typical girl.... where did you pour the oil? haha I kid, I kid :thumbsup:

grinding noise... maybe your bearings are REALLY messed up?

booming noise and struggling... timing issues? try spark plugs and wires first, not too expensive and never hurts

[98cavalier]

ahah my brother already asked me where I poured the oil.
I know where it goes.
I am not completly brain dead.
How do I try spark plugs?

[JRSC00LUDE]

As long as you aren't actually slink in disguise I hope you get it figured out.

[Spoons]

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE
As long as you aren't actually slink in disguise I hope you get it figured out.

LOL :rofl:

If it is grinding, etc. I would get your timing belt checked right away. Usually if your timing is off, etc. you will get grinding noises etc.

But yeah let us know what it is! :thumbsup:

[Ashers]

Originally posted by 98cavalier
it seems to get faster the faster I drive.
And louder the faster I drive.
Plus my engine seems to be working to hard.
that thing with the numbers is higher than usual.
and it takes me a long time to accelerate over 50
which is quite odd.
I think the sounds coming from the engine though

By "that thing with the numbers" it sounds like a tachometer. IMO, I think it sounds like either the clutch packs are gone, or your torque convertor is shot. However, if it is linear with the speed of the vehicle, then its not those two, and I'd go with either a bad wheel bearing, cv joint, or a busted Diff. Best thing to do would be to get it to a shop and get them to check it over.

[Eleanor]

38 replies and no one asks for pics? Come on beyond, i'm disappointed.

anyway, go and get it checked out with a mechanic you trust. GL :thumbsup: