How to explain an intermittent car noise to a mechanic

“I have an intermittent hammering sound from my engine - full details below, but really my question is, given the intermittent nature of it, how to best present it to a mechanic so I can get it resolved most efficiently?”source ↗

“I'm worried about it failing so I would like a mechanic to take a look.”source ↗

“Any ideas what this high pitched noise might be?”source ↗

“The noise only occurs after I’ve come to a stop and take my foot off the brake to start going again.”source ↗

“I took it to one shop who said I needed new bearing, serpentine belt, and brakes.”source ↗

“I then took it to a second shop that said my bearing, belt, and brakes all look fine.”source ↗

“I’m trying to figure out a strange squeaking/squealing noise coming from the front left side of my car.”source ↗

“I took the car to a mechanic for a service and specifically asked them to check the wheel/brakes, but they couldn’t find anything wrong.”source ↗

“It comes and goes but I’ll hear a rattling sounds (like something hitting tin metal (maybe hitting the dust shield).”source ↗

“I had a mechanic come check it out actually twice and they cannot find the issue.”source ↗

“I’m still getting the noise and I’ve attached the video but it primary sounds like either grinding or bouncing around when I hit a bump”source ↗

“hi guys! ive been tryna find out this noise for a while, so sorry!! the rattle noise is when i push the gas and theres a break between the noises when i let off the gas and then a sort of decompressing sound? happens mostly around just under 20mph and 40mph”source ↗

“I want to know if its something that I can easily fix or if its not worth the effort.”source ↗

“I'm trying to track down an awful metal-on-metal clacking noise when engaging the clutch / accelerating.”source ↗

“Does this look worn/broken to anyone who knows these, or is it actually supposed to look like this?”source ↗

“2017 2WD Colorado. Dealership replaced the leaf springs a few weeks ago thinking that’s what is causing it. It’s back in their shop now with the same noise.”source ↗

“Just started under a light load, new transmission 10K miles ago. Is it that?”source ↗

“My car (2021 Honda Passport EX-L) is making this electric whirring sound when accelerating and decelerating. I took it to a Honda dealer as I still have a warranty on it through Ally and they said they couldn't hear or replicate the noise”source ↗

“My wife’s ‘10 Corolla recently started making the signature cv axle clicking noise when the wheels are turned all the way and accelerator is pressed down.”source ↗

“I had parked in a parking lot outside for a few hours and came back to my car and suddenly there was a loud screeching noise as if something fell off. There was no lights or any other indication to tell what was wrong.”source ↗

“It started screeching horribly before I stopped and brought the car home with the hazards on trying to figure out the issue but had no luck.”source ↗

“When I pump the parking brake I heard it leading me to think brake shoe but the mechanic said it looked fine.”source ↗

“Car makes this sound when I take sharp turns”source ↗

“What could this rattling be. When I turn and press the gas to give it power the rpm rises and then I hear a rattle coming from center dash near the radio.”source ↗

“Also when starting the truck i hear a rattle coming from under the hood near the engine.”source ↗

“I have been hearing this sound when i start up the car and any time I am driving slower.”source ↗

“It has a knocking noise in the video, but almost sounds like a scraping or rattlingsound at idle in real life.”source ↗

“When shifting from drive to park, where the rpms increase slightly, the noise goes away and as the engine relaxes down to lower idle again it comes back.”source ↗

“It’s intermittent, like it doesn’t happen all the time.”source ↗

“It only makes the sound when the clutch engages. A/C works just fine. I've never heard one make this sound before. What's the verdict?”source ↗

“was have brought this in to be looked at seven times now and bought this car six months ago. It’s a Hyundai Elantra 2023 used and this rattling sound won’t go away and is almost getting worse. I’ve become desperate. Please, can anybody possible help me understand what’s going on?”source ↗

“I have a 2012 Civic LX and last night my car began making a roaring noise when I started it and it continues to do so as I drive. I have a feeling that it may be an exhaust leak potentially but I am not certain. Anybody have any ideas??”source ↗

“Noticed this sound happening after I took it to my dealer to get the splash shield re-attached (got stuck driving through flooded intersections), oil change, tire rotation, and VTC actuator replaced.”source ↗

“When I took it back to dealer, they said they could not replicate the sound and nothing seems wrong/maybe could be AC compressor.”source ↗

“It doesn't feel unsafe when driving, but the sound is still concerning.”source ↗

“It is making a clicking kind of noise when going over bumps. Any clues on what is can be or what I can check?”source ↗

“Picked up a rental car yesterday, Honda accord and noticed this noise at low speed. Sounds horrible.”source ↗

“This noise began after jumping the car off. It has been going for 24hrs”source ↗

“I have a 2017 Toyota 4Runner that pops when turning and going from Drive to Reverse.”source ↗

“I changed the sway bar links thinking that was the issue but the popping is still there.”source ↗

“Hey guys randomly after taking my car from car park i started getting this noise. Only when the car was stopped or driving at a very low speed.”source ↗

“Is it safe for me to drive this anymore”source ↗

“Please help as i am stressing”source ↗

“2021 4runner TRD. Not sure what this noise is?”source ↗

“I can’t tell if there is 2 different sounds happening from 2 different things or what.”source ↗

“when I start it up it, it makes a pretty loud whinny noise and then gets quieter as it runs idle but it does gets louder when I accelerate.”source ↗

“I need help identifying this noise.”source ↗

“I just paid someone over 1k to replace the exhaust manifold because they claimed it had a hole in it.”source ↗

“It's really inconsistent. Some days I don't hear it at all, or maybe once the whole day (with no music on). Other days like today it comes and goes.”source ↗

“Only other thing the times I do hear it is when I’m pressing on the gas or turning. Again not always.”source ↗

“Only cold start this noise happens but when the engine is warmed up its fine… ive replaced the tensioner that runs the alt and ac compressor, but not the one that runs power steering.”source ↗

“it went away and came back a week or two later”source ↗

“i would but i have the warranty through the dealership”source ↗

“Sorry it’s a 2010 corvette base model”source ↗

“Sounds like the serpentine belt idler is about to let go”source ↗

“Howdy, I am completely stumped by my car, it started this noise today, it’s not quite as loud as the video shows, I took that in a nearly closed garage, you can barely hear it inside the car.”source ↗

“now it sounds like this and continues after I start the car, it will repeat every few seconds, to be clear as I had a hard time explaining this to my friends, that noise after I press the key the second time isn’t the starter, it used to sound like a pump priming.”source ↗

“I’m hearing this weird metal creaking sound in my 2004 Corolla S. This sound only happens after coming to a stop when coming off the freeway (I’ve noticed specifically when I reach over 60mph). The sound will then intermittently reappear when I stop or turn until the engine is stopped and started again.”source ↗

“I have this Camry and it makes this weird sound every time I accelerate, I’ve noticed that it gets better once I go over 20-25mph. What could it be? And how severe is it?”source ↗

“I have a 2011 Mazda 3 2.0L with 109000 miles. After a decent road trip (about 3 hours) I got home and started hearing this sitting in idle.”source ↗

“My car (Ford fiesta 1.4tdci 2007) started making a high pitch noise at the back of the car that disappears when I accelerate.”source ↗

“Can anyone help me?”source ↗

“Car would make a loud whining-noise that sounded like resonance at 30mph and 50mph but that has gone away. Now it's this loud noise all the time.”source ↗

“When I first start up my car, it doesn’t make the sound at first but when I try to drive it, it makes a horrible clunking grinding sound. Can someone help me? Sounds like it’s coming from the transmission, but can’t tell. and whenever I try to just push it in gear, that’s when the sound gets quieter only when I push it in gear.”source ↗

“I have a 2012 Civic LX and last night my car began making a roaring noise when I started it and it continues to do so as I drive.”source ↗

“Whenever its going down the road it has a bad whine that builds up with speed.”source ↗

“It only whines while moving. Ceases when coming to a complete stop.”source ↗

“Its much worse at low speeds, and seems to disappear at higher speeds.”source ↗

“There is some rusting around the heat shield and a bolt is gone on one side causing some warping, but the noise doesn't subside when I push the shield back into place.”source ↗

“when I'm going 40 mph (60 kmh) and i let go of the gas pedal, the car starts making airplane sounds”source ↗

“I hear this rattle and my engine sounds rough under load in first and second gear!! 3,4,5th gear its quiet… 2016 WRX…help its giving me white hairs!!!”source ↗

“It’s so frustrating because I took it to three shops and they all told me they couldn’t replicate the sound.. its audible after driving for 20 minutes..and i take it for a test drive and they just say it just sounds like a subaru thing or something but to me it’s not normal and gets louder at specific conditions”source ↗

“Brakes look fine, wheel hubs seem fine, not that old and seem firm. almost feels like its coming from back seat.”source ↗

“Its almost like someone is tapping on the window with their fingernails loudly.”source ↗

“It happens with car completely off, on, or even after sitting over night. While driving. While stopped.”source ↗

“It only goes away when stopped or going like under 20 miles an hour but other than that it does it constantly, I may go to a different Honda dealership then as the warranty through Ally covers anything but wear items for only $100 deductible”source ↗

“2014 Audi A4 2.0T, I have this horrible screeching sound that has been happening while driving, what does this sound like?”source ↗

“Actually I have an oil leak coming from the bellhousing of the transmission and I found one of the bellhousing bolts loose and back out the other day.”source ↗

“It also makes the clunk when parked and I turn the wheel all the way back and forth.”source ↗

“2017 focus st, driver side cv axle going into differential/tranny. Is this too much play and is the differential bearing bad? Deep grindish noise when driving also”source ↗

“Just happened today after work. Got worse as I was driving home. Does any body know what this could be?”source ↗

“I noticed this shield look bent compared to the others, would this be dragging on the rotor or something? I will probably try to take it to a nearby shop this weekend so they can jack it up and take a look.”source ↗

“I feel like maybe the tires need to be re balanced? It’s a very quiet (wind like) sound that only appears when I go over 30mph.”source ↗