New engine noises range from harmless-if-ignored-for-now to shut-it-off-immediately. Rhythm and conditions matter: a light tick at startup is a different animal from a deep knock that speeds up with RPM.
Check the oil immediately — level first, then get pressure and the noise diagnosed if the level is fine. Recording a video of the sound helps the shop enormously.
Related services in Florida typically run $90–$7,500 depending on what the diagnosis finds:
| Engine diagnostic | $90–$200 |
| Spark plug replacement | $100–$300 |
| Timing belt replacement | $500–$1,100 |
| Head gasket repair | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Engine rebuild | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Engine replacement | $3,000–$7,500 |
See the full engine repair cost guide →
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A light tick with good oil level: prompt but not panic. A deep knock under load: stop driving and have it looked at before it grenades.
Oil drains down overnight; worn components run dry for the first seconds. It's an early-wear signature worth noting to a shop.
If the level was low or the oil badly overdue, sometimes yes — it's the cheapest first step either way.
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