Why Is Focus ST Clicking Noise When Accelerating? (Solved)

Besides rattling sound when accelerating, clicking sound also makes customers quite uncomfortable.

My friend owns a very nice Focus ST. He is always pleased with his car. However, I’ve recently heard him complain about strange noises coming from his beloved car. Why is my Focus ST clicking noise when accelerating? – he asks.

Unavoidably, a car engine will create noise. After all, an engine has a lot of moving parts and components when it is operating. The majority of these noises are not particularly loud and are not a cause for concern. However, occasionally engine noises will sound a little odd or bizarre.

When the car is accelerating, idling, or even after an oil change, you might hear a ticking, clicking, or tapping sound. You must be aware of the warning signs in order to determine what the actual issue is.

When accelerating, does your Focus ST produce a clicking sound? Don’t worry; this article will explain how to resolve the issue and assist you in identifying it.

Common Reasons for Focus ST Clicking Noise When Accelerating

If your car makes a clicking noise when you accelerate, one of the following issues may be to blame. All of these potential issues are examined in the information that follows, along with advice on how to identify the problem and perhaps resolve it.

Low Oil Pressure

Making sure your automobile always has access to enough oil to lubricate all the moving parts of the engine is one of your most critical duties as a car owner.

Because the valvetrain parts are not being sufficiently lubricated when there is insufficient oil in the engine, clicking noises will be produced.

There might be a clicking sound as the metal pieces collide. The noise is audible when the automobile is stopped, but it gets worse when it accelerates since the engine parts are moving more quickly.

Perhaps your gaskets or seals are broken or worn out. In any case, your engine will begin to overheat, which will let you know if you have low engine oil. It needs oil to keep it cold.

As a result, if you experience any of these other symptoms in addition to clicking sounds, your car probably needs more oil.

Clicking Noise From Metal

In most cases, a reciprocating component as opposed to a rotating component, will be the culprit when there is a clicking noise in the engine that concerns a specific component. The pushrod, the piston, and the valve are some instances of reciprocating parts.

For proper acceleration, the transmission system works in concert with the metal bands and pulleys. 

The transmission system will no longer function smoothly and will make a clicking noise if any of these components are defective. As long as the problem persists, this sound will probably continue.

You will start to hear clicking noises if any of these parts were to become worn out, damaged, or go bad for any other cause. If you don’t swap out these parts right away, the clicking sounds can turn into whining or clunking noises.

Dirty Fluid

Transmission fluid should be free of any impurities. A clicking sound from the system can be caused by deposits and other pollutants that prevent the transmission fluid from flowing properly. It is imperative to use suitable transmission fluid for this reason.

Valves Not Adjusted

Another factor that can contribute to a clicking sound is improper valve train adjustment. A leaky valve train is frequently the main contributor to clicking noises in cars. 

Therefore, the valve train should always be the first location you check when your car makes any clicking noises.

The valves open and close when your engine turns a few times. The rocker arm, as its name suggests, is in charge of opening and closing the valves. 

The rocker arm is moved by a pushrod attached to the camshaft, and this pushrod must be positioned precisely in relation to the valve.

They may produce poor movements if their adjustment is insufficient. When accelerating quickly, these incorrect actions eventually cause a clicking sound to be audible.

This is particularly true given how quickly and closely the valves move. The components will move and produce the ticking sounds if the modifications are not correct.

Keep in mind that a valve train is made up of a number of parts that operate together. Because the valves won’t move precisely the same distance if any of these parts are worn out, you will hear a ticking sound.

Oxidized Gears

Another cause of a clicking transmission is worn-out or broken gear teeth. One of the key elements of a car’s transmission system is the gear.

Power is distributed throughout a vehicle’s wheels by the gear teeth. A clicking noise is produced when this part is damaged, indicating a fault.

Exhaust Leaks

The fuel must be burned and evacuated in a controlled way after combustion.

The engine may also make a clicking sound while accelerating and idling when the exhaust manifold begins to leak.

When under high pressure, an exhaust manifold leak allows the exhaust gasses to escape the manifold. The exhaust gasses will make a clicking noise as they attempt to escape.

The exhaust manifold leak might not seem to be a major problem at first. This is due to the fact that the leak doesn’t affect your ability to drive.

The loudness can be really irritating, which is the one drawback. As a general guideline, though, any issue with the car should be taken seriously.

Anywhere in the exhaust system can experience an exhaust leak. But if the leak is in the exhaust manifold, it can sound like clicking coming from inside the engine.

Long-term consequences of doing so could result in more severe issues. Exhaust manifold leaks are not an exception. You will still need to have it fixed because your engine might not like having a lot of leaks.

How to Fix Focus ST Acceleration Clicking Noise

Fixing the issue becomes simple after you investigate and identify the real reason of your car’s clicking transmission. Once you’ve identified the issue, attempt the suggested fixes for the problematic components.

Oil the Engine Completely

Make sure you refuel the engine oil in your car. If you recently added oil, be sure there are no leaks because they will cause your oil to run out more faster than usual.

Ensure that the oil filter is changed after each oil change, which need to be done on a regular basis. Low oil pressure can be caused by leaks, blocked oil filters, or simply not enough engine oil.

Replace Poor Quality Parts

The next step is to have the broken parts or components repaired or replaced after they have been located. 

The mechanical component of the car that has to be fixed will determine if replacing, repairing, or cleaning is necessary. The extent of the current problem will also influence the kind of service needed.

To be on the safe side, it is always a good idea to replace any parts that could be the source of the ticking sounds you hear while you accelerate. 

Repairs alone may not always provide a long-term fix because the issue may keep reappearing after a short while.

Car owners frequently become concerned when any mechanical issues with the engine arise and will want to cut the cost of the servicing as much as they can by choosing to have the worn-out parts repaired instead of replaced.

It is well known that fixing engine issues may be very expensive, but you would rather spend a lot of money up front to address the issue permanently than take a quick cut that would cost more in the long run.

Periodic Maintenance

The easiest method to deal with technical issues with cars is to maintain them regularly and in a timely manner before they become more serious. Sometimes that is all you need to assist resolve minor automotive problems like the clicking noise that occurs when you accelerate.

In addition, during regular maintenance inspections, other problems like loose clips and nuts on the engine fan and loose spark plugs that create the clicking sounds can be resolved by simply utilizing a straightforward procedure of tightening the bolts.

Before they become severe and result in more expensive damages, further issues that may be a little more complex can be found and resolved. It is not a good idea to put off getting routine maintenance done on the car just because it hasn’t yet shown any signs of a malfunction.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous reasons why an acceleration clicking sound could occur. Finding the source of the issue is crucial because if it is not, there is a chance that the engine will be harmed, making the situation even worse than it already was. These problems won’t be expensive to fix, but be sure to find the root of the issue as quickly as you can!

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