Why Is My Car Making a Clicking Noise When Accelerating?

Tyler Ellis

Aug 10

6 min read

A clicking noise during acceleration can come from several areas of your vehicle, including the CV axles, engine, exhaust system, drivetrain, or even loose components underneath the car. The sound may be faint at first, only appearing when you press the gas, or it may become faster and louder as vehicle speed or engine RPM increases.

If you have been asking, why is my car making a clicking noise when accelerating?, the answer depends heavily on whether the clicking follows road speed, engine speed, steering angle, or throttle input. A clicking CV joint behaves differently from an engine-related tick, and both are different from an exhaust leak or loose heat shield.

Acceleration places additional load on the engine and drivetrain. Components that seem quiet while idling or coasting may begin making noise once torque is applied. Finding the source early can prevent a worn axle, loose component, or engine problem from becoming a larger repair.

Why Is My Car Making a Clicking Noise When Accelerating? Common Causes

One of the most common causes is a worn CV axle or CV joint. CV axles transfer power from the transmission to the wheels while allowing the suspension and steering to move.

Outer CV joints are especially known for clicking during turns. If the clicking becomes louder while accelerating through a turn, a worn outer CV joint should be high on the list of possibilities.

Inner CV joints may create different symptoms. Instead of the classic rapid clicking during turns, they may cause vibration, clunking, or clicking under acceleration. The symptoms may improve when you release the gas pedal.

CV joint problems commonly begin when the protective rubber boot tears. The boot keeps grease inside the joint and prevents water and dirt from entering. Once grease escapes, the joint can wear quickly.

You may notice grease sprayed around the inside of the wheel, suspension, or underbody if a CV boot has torn.

Could the Engine Be Making the Clicking Noise?

Engine components can also create clicking or ticking sounds that become faster as engine RPM increases.

Low engine oil is one possible cause. Oil lubricates the valvetrain, timing components, bearings, and other internal engine parts. If the level becomes too low, components may begin making noise because they are not receiving proper lubrication.

Always check the oil level if a new clicking or ticking sound develops. An oil pressure warning light combined with engine noise should be treated seriously. Continuing to run an engine with inadequate oil pressure can cause severe internal damage.

Valve lifters, rocker arms, camshaft components, and variable valve timing systems can also create clicking sounds. Some engines naturally produce a light ticking noise, especially from fuel injectors, but a new or noticeably louder sound should be investigated.

Timing chains can also become noisy. A worn chain, damaged guide, or weak hydraulic tensioner may create rattling or clicking that changes with engine speed. Because timing components control the relationship between the crankshaft and camshafts, excessive wear can eventually cause major engine problems.

Fuel injectors themselves normally make a light clicking sound as they open and close. If the sound is even across all cylinders and the engine runs properly, this may simply be normal injector operation.

Can an Exhaust Leak Cause Clicking During Acceleration?

A small exhaust leak near the engine can sound surprisingly similar to an internal engine tick.

Exhaust gases leave the cylinders under pressure. If there is a leak at the exhaust manifold, manifold gasket, cylinder head connection, or nearby pipe, gases can escape in short pulses. These pulses may create a rapid ticking or clicking sound.

The noise often becomes louder during acceleration because exhaust pressure increases when the engine is under load. It may also be louder when the engine is cold and become quieter as metal components expand with heat.

Common exhaust leak areas include:

Exhaust manifold gaskets
Cracked exhaust manifolds
Broken manifold bolts
Flex pipe connections
Flanges and gaskets
EGR connections on some vehicles

Exhaust leaks near the engine should not be ignored. Hot gases can damage nearby wiring, hoses, and plastic components. Depending on the location, exhaust fumes may also enter the cabin.

A cracked manifold or broken mounting bolt may start as a small clicking noise and gradually become louder.

Man in gloves polishes a shiny black car door with a buffer in a bright auto shop. — Why Is My Car Making a Clicking Noise When Accelerating?

Could Loose Parts Underneath the Vehicle Be Clicking?

Loose heat shields, splash shields, brackets, and exhaust components can make clicking or tapping noises under acceleration.

When you press the accelerator, the engine and transmission naturally move slightly on their mounts. If a mount is worn or another component is loose, that movement may cause two parts to contact each other.

A loose exhaust heat shield can tap against the catalytic converter or exhaust pipe. A damaged exhaust hanger may allow the pipe to move against the body or crossmember.

Broken engine or transmission mounts can increase this movement significantly. You may hear a click, clunk, or knock when accelerating, shifting gears, or changing between drive and reverse.

Underbody panels can also create speed-related clicking if a loose edge contacts a tire, axle, or rotating component. Missing clips and fasteners are common after road impacts or previous repairs.

If you are wondering, why is my car making a clicking noise when accelerating?, checking for loose components is important because the source may be simpler than an internal engine or transmission failure.

How to Diagnose and Fix the Clicking Noise

The correct repair starts with determining whether the clicking follows engine RPM or vehicle speed.

If the noise happens while the vehicle is stationary and increases when the engine is revved, the problem is more likely related to the engine, exhaust system, belt drive, or another underhood component.

If the clicking only happens while moving, especially during acceleration or turns, the CV axles, wheel components, suspension, and drivetrain should receive closer attention.

A complete inspection may include:

Checking CV axles and CV boots
Looking for grease around torn axle boots
Inspecting engine oil level and condition
Checking engine oil pressure if necessary
Listening to the valvetrain and timing system
Inspecting exhaust manifolds and gaskets
Checking for broken exhaust bolts
Inspecting engine and transmission mounts
Checking exhaust hangers and heat shields
Inspecting splash shields and underbody panels
Checking wheel bearings and suspension components
Road testing the vehicle under acceleration and while turning

If a CV joint is clicking because it has already worn internally, axle replacement is often the proper repair. Replacing only the boot is generally more appropriate when the boot damage is caught before the joint becomes noisy.

If low oil is causing engine noise, the reason for the low level should be found. The engine may have an external leak, internal oil consumption, or an overdue maintenance concern.

If an exhaust leak is responsible, the damaged gasket, manifold, pipe, or fastener should be repaired. Simply tightening a loose shield will not solve an exhaust leak underneath it.

Loose underbody components should be properly secured with the correct hardware rather than temporary fasteners that may fail at highway speeds.

Why You Should Act Now

A clicking noise can be an early warning of a component that is beginning to fail.

A worn CV joint may continue deteriorating until it develops severe vibration or loses the ability to transfer power correctly. A damaged axle can eventually leave the vehicle unable to move under its own power.

Low oil or internal engine clicking can become significantly more serious. Timing chain or valvetrain problems may cause expensive engine damage if lubrication or mechanical wear is ignored.

Exhaust leaks can become larger as cracks expand or fasteners fail. Hot exhaust gases can damage nearby components and create fumes around the passenger compartment.

Broken mounts can allow excessive engine movement, which may stress axles, wiring, coolant hoses, A/C lines, and exhaust components.

If you have been asking, why is my car making a clicking noise when accelerating?, having the vehicle inspected early can help determine whether the problem is a relatively simple loose shield or a more serious axle, engine, or exhaust issue.

Get the Acceleration Clicking Checked Before It Gets Worse

Your vehicle should accelerate without repetitive clicking, ticking, or tapping noises. If the sound becomes louder under throttle, changes while turning, or increases with engine RPM, there is a specific cause that needs to be identified.

Round Rock Auto Center can inspect the CV axles, engine, exhaust system, mounts, suspension, and underbody components to determine what is creating the sound. If you are tired of wondering, why is my car making a clicking noise when accelerating?, schedule your visit at https://www.roundrockautocenter.com before a small clicking noise becomes a larger drivetrain or engine repair.