My 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer started smoking and ticking and will not go above 20 mph.
Today I hit the hwy car started stalling around 30 mph, then I noticed engine making a ticking noise and smoke from back end. Made it home not going over 20mph. No smoke or jerking unless trying to excelerate
My car has 100000 miles.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. There are a lot of things that can cause this. Most of the time if you have a ticking noise with smoke then you need to check for a misfire. I would usually start by scanning the computer for codes to make sure that there are not any issues showing up in the computer. If not then I would do a compression test to see if there is an internal engine issue. I would suspect a valve train failure or possibly a bad catalytic converter. If you want to have this checked, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose where the ticking is coming from] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-running-louder-than-normal-inspection
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Damaged CV joint: The most common cause of a clicking or popping sound from the wheels is a broken CV joint.
Low oil pressure might be the cause of those ticking sounds. When vital engine components don`t get adequate lubrication, it might cause other problems, and the engine starts to make these noises. A broken valve train component, such as lifters or cam followers, can also cause ticking, tapping, or clicking sounds.
When a vehicle is making popping or clicking noises from near the wheel, it could be a sign of a serious issue. Continuing to drive a vehicle that has damaged struts or CV joints could result in more severe damage, and an unsafe vehicle to drive.
In many cases, a clicking or ticking sound is caused either by a damaged serpentine belt or can be caused by the valves or cylinder head hardware that is not properly lubricated. The fact you`re losing power and that the engine cuts off, however, may indicate that an ignition issue exists.
If you suspect there may be a component ticking, one method for diagnosis is to remove the drive belt and hand-spin each component. If nothing is still suspect, start the engine and immediately listen to see if the tick has disappeared.
An engine with low oil or low oil pressure can make a ticking noise due to a lack of lubrication. If you are low on oil, it may indicate either oil consumption or an oil leak, both of which should be addressed as soon as possible. If you have low oil pressure, you will likely get a warning on the dash.
Driving with a bad timing chain could give you serious engine damage, and it`s also dangerous because it could cause your vehicle to stop suddenly without warning. A timing chain typically requires replacement anywhere from 40,000 to 150,000 miles.
Your engine will stop running right after the timing belt snaps while driving. With an interference engine, extensive damage can occur right away.
If you hear lifter noise, get it checked out. Sometimes they`ll hold up for a while, but if it`s bad enough the lifter could shatter. If it`s caught early on, a new lifter is all you`ll need – if neglected, a lifter can ruin a camshaft or entire engine in no time.
A distinct clicking or ticking noise emanates from the high pressure fuel pump that can be very noisy during cold starts and quietens following engine warm-up. The sound is more noticeable when standing outside the vehicle, with the hood up, or when the vehicle is next to a building such as a drive-through.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer started smoking and ticking and will not go above 20 mph.
ANSWER : Hello. There are a lot of things that can cause this. Most of the time if you have a ticking noise with smoke then you need to check for a misfire. I would usually start by scanning the computer for codes to make sure that there are not any issues showing up in the computer. If not then I would do a compression test to see if there is an internal engine issue. I would suspect a valve train failure or possibly a bad catalytic converter. If you want to have this checked, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose where the ticking is coming from] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-running-louder-than-normal-inspection
My car won’t go over 20 mph. It will start to shake vigorously once it hits 20 mph
ANSWER : Hello. When an issue like this turns up with this many codes I usually start by checking the fuel pressure. If the fuel pump is failing and not creating the right pressure then you will get multiple misfires. If the fuel pressure is fine then it may be another issue. I have seen a failing catalytic converter in the exhaust cause this and I have also seen a failing timing chain cause this. Once the fuel pressure is tested then I would test the exhaust and check the cam and crank readings. A compression test may also be needed. This is something that you should have an expert mechanic look at, like one from YourMechanic, that can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is coming on] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
My car is hesitating / jerking at speed intervals of 20 mph, 30 mph, 35 mph and 40 mph.
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this fails, this can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This may cause a hesitation, loss of power or jerking reaction when this sensor is malfunctioning. When this is not working properly, you may also notice a strong smell of fuel. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your mass air flow sensor.
My car won’t go past 35mph
ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you provided, your vehicle has problems with the transmission again. You stated it will not shift into 3rd gear again, like before the transmission was rebuilt. If the transmission is again the problem, it should be covered under warranty. It could be a faulty shift solenoid. The shift indicator not reading properly could be a faulty transmission position sensor. If this is an overall lack of performance issue, according to your last statement, then possibly you have a restriction in the exhaust system. I recommend having your vehicle’s problems inspected and diagnosed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
When driving and going over 55 mph the car starts shaking like it is going to cut off.
ANSWER : Hi there! There are several reasons why your TL can act this way.
First off, if this behavior is predominantly after the car has been sitting overnight or longer, it can be the result of "flat-spotting" – the low profile tires, with very stiff sidewall, develop "flat spots" where the tire sits on the pavement. This is overcome with 5-10 miles of highway driving, and the tire heat up a bit, and air pressure in the tire makes them round again.
The second possibility is out-of-balance tire/wheel combinations. Your tire shop can check the balance for you, and correct balance if necessary.
The third possibility is an axle with bad CV joints. If the CV joints are worn, they essentially "wobble", and this vibration is transmitted into the structure of the vehicle – which you could feel both with the steering wheel, and "seat-of-the-pants".
To avoid any unnecessary repairs, I would recommend having the shaking symptom diagnosed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, to diagnose this problem, get an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Car will not start, lights go on ,dashboard lights go on, sometimes will start in Neutral, sometimes I need to move steering wheel
ANSWER : Although it’s very difficult to diagnose your problem without being there, it looks like you’ve got an ignition cylinder assembly or other electrical problem in the steering column that is causing your Voyager difficulties. There are several individual parts that make up the ignition system, including several safety devices, so it’s best for you to have a mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection.
