Anyone here know what would cause my car to make a grinding noise? The noise lasts for about 20 seconds then goes away.Ive gone over the 3,000 mile limit without an oil change.COuld that be the problem?

I just did a search on google.Grinding noises could mean the alternator is going.Maybe the tires? Idk,I only know a lil about cars.

If it were your altinator, then your battery light would/should go on. Without the altinator functioning properly, or at all for that matter, the battery stops charging and you are then solely running off the juice that is stored in it.

what are you doing when it makes the noise?

Turn down your stereo.

turn down the suck.

yeah man my alternator just went, and it started to smoke like 2 or 3 days before it finally died. it didnt make any sounds though.

Sounds like you should be moshing if its really grinding.

No, you can really go about 5000 miles without changing your oil. If the grinding sound occurs when you are accelerating, Its probably your transmission. How is the fluid level in it (the transmission)? Though, yeah, your alternator might be struggling.

If only your name was InventorofCarKnowledge!!
But noooo...gotta be evil.

it could also be your emergency brake

Cecchini said:

What do you drive? It could be a 100 different things. Brake pads, cat converter, low oil in a powerfull engine can make the exhaust produce a similar sound. transmission, pinion seal. you name it.

How can cranking my stereo cause the engine to grind? And if the emergency brake was on Id know it.I fucking hate cars sometimes.I dont have the $$ to make a major repair right now :(

I got a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria.Could the tranny shit the bed after just 11 years?? Im baffled.

At least it's driving. Mine puked up a bunch of white smoke from the exhaust and won't even turn over, now. I lose.

WWW.AUTOZONE.COM

they have a diagnostic section on their page.

my car is fuck too..im screwed its pissing out radiatior fluid of something and its over heating....anyone?

InventorofEvil said:

Is your schoolbus shorter than all the other kid's?

whoremastery said:

You've obviously got a leak.
Pray its just in a hose. Replacing the radiator is a lot of $$

that diagnostic page didnt help much

well its rust colored water that is spraying out the bottom and my temp gauge is all the way hot...it only seems to happen when i shut the car off...can i still drive it? at least to work until i can get it at a shop near there??

powerkok said:

Hahahaha

whoremastery said:

Sure, just don't ever shut it off. Problem solved.

Cecchini said:

AHAHAH

its car/death/grind music!!

whoremastery said:

Make sure you aren't leaking coolant. If you are, fill it up, and drive as little as possible.
Does the temp gauge go up while you're driving?
If you drive it too hot for too long you'll blow a gasket and then you might as well throw away your car.

I replaced my radiator last year.Cost me $300

Josh_Martin said:

yes it does go up while im driving..i just want to getit to the shop and then see what is wrong..they told me to put water in my overflow tank and then get it there...they say it could be the tank itself.

whoremastery said:


most auto places have a chemical(i forget what it's called) that can seal any cracks in your radiator temporarily(unless it's real fuckin bad)

whoremastery said:

If its really dry, I'd put the water straight into the radiator. If it gets too low it won't feed off the overflow tank.

thanx for the imput guys..i appreciate it..i cant tell if the radiator is completely dry..but when i took the cap of i saw nothing in it.

what part of the car is the sound coming from? i can't see how it would have anything to do with not changing your oil, unless there's not enough oil in the car, but even then, you get more of a knocking sound.

Drove the car today.No grinding noise so far.If I had the $$ Id get it looked at.

The noise sounds like it coming from the front ride side.