If you’ve ever had the experience of driving your car and suddenly finding yourself wondering why it sounds like an airplane, then you’re not alone. Many drivers have experienced this strange sensation at some point in their lives, and while the cause is usually nothing more than a bad muffler or an air leak, it can be really confusing and scary when it happens unexpectedly.
What Causes an Airplane Sound from Your Car?
Some car models have an engine that produces a high-pitched whine or hum when the car is in gear, accelerating, or braking. This is because the engine is over revving and can cause the air to vibrate in unusual ways. The resulting sound is often mistaken for that of an airplane. There are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:
- Change the oil regularly – An over-revved engine oil can contribute to the whine or hum.
- Get a new muffler – A bad muffler can also contribute to the sound.
- Replace the ignition coil – A weak ignition coil can cause the car to over-rev and produce a high-pitched whine or hum.
How to Fix an Airplane Sound from Your Car
If you’ve been noticing a high-pitched sound coming from your car, it might be time to take it in for service. This type of sound is typically caused by a Fault Code indicating that there’s an issue with the air conditioning unit. In most cases, this problem can be fixed relatively cheaply and without any major inconvenience. Here are a few tips on how to fix an airplane sound from your car.
1. Check the Air Conditioning Unit
The first step is to check the air conditioning unit. If it’s not broken, there’s a good chance that the noise is coming from the unit itself. It could be that the belt has broken or that there’s something blocking the compressor. In either case, fixing the issue will require some minor adjustments on your part.
2. Replace the Belt
If the AC unit is broken, then replacing the belt may be your best bet. This is a relatively cheap fix and should only take around 15 minutes to complete. Just make sure that you have all of the necessary tools before you start and be prepared for some noise in the meantime.
3. Check for Pulleys and Gears
Another common cause of airplane sounds from cars is the pulleys and gears inside the AC unit. If they’re not properly aligned, the noise will be continuous. In most cases, this can be fixed by gently moving the pulleys and gears around. Again, this is a relatively simple fix that should only take a few minutes to complete.
If you’ve tried all of these solutions and your airplane sound from your car still isn’t going away, it might be time to take it in for service. A qualified technician can diagnose the problem and recommend a course of action.
Conclusion
There are a few possible reasons why your car might sound like an airplane when you start it up. One possibility is that the engine is cold and needs time to warm up. Another possibility is that there may be something blocking the exhaust pipe, such as leaves or debris, which can cause whistling sounds when the car is started. If you think your car might be making unusual noises, take it to a mechanic for a diagnosis and recommendation.