The differences may be startling when comparing cars from decades past to cars manufactured today, especially since cars run much more quietly today.
As such, if you find that your new car roars like a motorcycle upon starting or accelerating, this can be an indication of something wrong with your car. Here’s what I found!
Why Does My Car Sound Like A Motorcycle?
Your automobile may sound like a motorcycle due to exhaust system issues like a loose or damaged muffler or a broken exhaust pipe. Additionally, your automobile may be making roaring noises due to tire wear, an engine that is misfiring, or damaged valves or pistons. Low oil levels, a broken drivetrain belt, or insufficient cylinder pressure could also cause this.
Keep reading if you’re interested in learning what causes your car to sound like a motorcycle!
1. Damaged or Loose Muffler
One of the main reasons your car sounds like a motorcycle may be a damaged or loose muffler.
Generally, cars manufactured today are much quieter thanks to the muffler, which reduces the amount of noise produced by your engine.
As such, a damaged or loose muffler can result in loud revving noises like that of a motorcycle.
Moreover, the type of noise produced by a defective or broken muffler can be a major distraction when driving, so it’s best to get this looked at immediately.
2. Faulty Exhaust Pipe
Aside from problems with the muffler, a faulty exhaust pipe may be causing your car to sound like a motorcycle.
Typically, the gases resulting from the engine combustion process are funneled out of the car through the exhaust pipe.
However, your driving habits and regular use may cause corrosion or other damage to the exhaust pipe.
As a result, you might find that the loud noises produced during combustion may leak out from the engine through the exhaust pipe, causing your car to sound like a motorcycle.
3. Irregular Tire Wear
While unexpected, your tires may also make your car sound like a motorcycle.
In this scenario, the tires on your car may wear down unevenly because of several factors, some of which are poor tire inflation or road conditions.
Additionally, you may find that your tires “roar” when your tires wear unevenly.
Thus, it’s best to have your tires rotated as part of your routine maintenance schedule to fix this right away.
4. Misfiring Engine
Aside from my points above, an engine misfire may make your car sound like a motorcycle.
Generally, the engine relies on combustion to take place in the cylinders to function properly.
However, when the spark plugs fail to ignite, this can result in a misfire.
In this scenario, you may find your engine sputtering like a motorcycle, although just for a moment.
As such, having these replaced may address the misfire and prevent further damage.
5. Damaged Engine Components
Similarly, damage to the engine’s components may be the reason why your car sounds like a motorcycle.
Generally, engines have several moving components that all need to work together so you can drive your car without any issues.
However, when these parts aren’t functioning as normal, this can result in whining, knocking, and grinding noises when you start your car or accelerate.
Moreover, these noises are a result of not following your car’s maintenance schedule.
As such, it’s important to repair the affected parts to address this immediately.
6. Worn or Damaged Valves
Aside from my points above, worn or damaged valves may also make your car sound like a motorcycle.
Generally, the valves in an engine start as a ticking noise but might become progressively louder as you accelerate because of the hydraulic lifter sticking.
Moreover, worn or stuck lifters may result in varnish build-up or low oil pressure.
Therefore, it’s critical to have the valves addressed immediately to prevent further damaging the engine.
7. Faulty Drivetrain Belt
In addition to the points above, a faulty drivetrain belt may be the reason why your car is so loud.
On starting, a loose or slipped belt may be the root cause of the loud screeching noises you hear.
Usually, this can be caused by problems with the automatic tensioner, but other factors like dirt on the belt may also cause your belt to produce loud noises.
Moreover, the belt slipping due to tension loss produces heat, which can hasten the breakdown of pulleys, belts, and component bearings.
8. Low Oil Level
Aside from my points above, low oil levels may be causing your car to be louder than usual.
Generally, motor oil ensures that the moving components of your engine run smoothly and in sync with each other.
However, if your car’s oil level sensor is broken or malfunctioning, you’ll hear a grinding sound in your engine because of the minimized lubrication.
As such, this can make it seem like your car is beginning to sound like a motorcycle.
9. Improper Pressure in Cylinders
In addition, a problem with the cylinders may be the reason why your car sounds like a motorcycle.
Normally, the air-fuel ratio is detonated in a controlled manner in each of the cylinders of your engine.
Additionally, this detonation must occur simultaneously so you can drive your car in its best condition.
However, when the detonation process happens one at a time, this can result in a detonation knock, which is a knocking noise that can make your engine sound louder than usual.
Therefore, you should bring your car in right away as this can cause further damage to your car.
Conclusion
Several reasons your car makes roaring noises include problems with the exhaust system, tires, or the engine and its components.
Moreover, a low oil level, the drivetrain belt, and the air-fuel ratio in cylinders may be the reason why your car sounds like a motorcycle.
As such, it’s best to bring your car in for servicing to address these issues right away.