Top thread bunches under the project and machine makes loud noises then finally stops

increase the needle thread tension right up

Sounds like bird nesting (also called thread nesting or "thread b@rf"). It happens a lot if the thread is not seated completely in the tension disk.

Remove the top thread from the machine. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning. Test your machine and adjust the tension so both threads meet in the middle of the fabric.

Check your stitch sample. Dollars to donuts it's the top thread bird nesting (also called thread nesting) under the fabric. Issues appearing under the fabric is usually top thread related. Problems appearing on the top of the fabric is usually bobbin thread related.

Remove the top thread from your machine.
Be sure to start with a brand new needle.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread the top.

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hi Lois.
this is all i could find out.
Check Your Tension Settings. Looping underneath the fabric usually occurs when there is not enough tension in the needle thread to pull the bobbin thread. Sometimes thread bunching can be caused by something as simple as the tension dial being inadvertently turn.
or try this link.
WHY IS THREAD BUNCHING UNDERNEATH MY FABRIC
or this one,
Sewing Machine Thread Bunching Up Here Why .
if you go to this link a little window might open up in the middle of the page just close the little window down.
or this.

The bobbin thread is bunching up Google Search

hi Virginia.
you have not said what make you have.
but this is all i could find out.
Make sure your bobbin is threaded properly along with the top thread. It would help to know which machine you have. Mine has only one way to put the bobbin in so it will work okay, but I have had the thread miss the take up lever and it acted the same way (top thread). Keep trying.
Is it bunching as you first start sewing a seam? Try hold the bobbin thread and the top thread lightly when you first start your seam.
If you look at how the stitch is made, you'll see that the bobbin and top thread are interconnected, without a bobbin thread, you don't have a stitch. Check out the link below to see how a machine makes the stitch. It's pretty cool.
Are you bringing the bobbin thread to the surface before trying to sew? To do this, manually turn the wheel on the end of the machine so that the needle drops down into the bobbin race, while holding onto the tail of top thread. Bring the needle back up so that it's as high as it will go. Now pull on the tail of the top thread and it should bring up a loop of the bobbin thread. Pull up the loop so that the tail of the bobbin thread is up. As Marion said, you need to hold onto these tails when you start your seam, or the bobbin thread will get pulled down into the bobbin again and cause the snarling that you are having.
Annie
Here is a link that might be useful: Sewing machine stitch

When I have the thread bunching underneath, it is usually the upper tension that needs tweaking. Also, be sure that your needle is the right size and nice and sharp. A dull needle can really gum up the works.
When mine has done that it usually has lint under the bobbin case. Have you cleaned under and around the bobbin?
Make sure your bobbin is feeding off in the right direction.
I have just recently learned this. When you are threading your machine, make sure the needle and the presser foot are both in the up position. I am betting that would fix your problem.
I use to have this problem often. [sorry for the simplicity of this answer but it works for me] the needle goes up and down, when it starts it downward motion stop. this should be the position of the needle when you start to sew. hope this helps
or this link might help you out some more.

Thread keeps bunching up under needle plate Google Search

try changing the needle
also try adjusting the top thread tension and see if that helps
make sure the top thread has not come off the thread take up lever
also the machine may need to be checked for a timing problem.

first change the needle
clean under the needle plate where the feed dogs are for lint
also clean the bobbin area for lint or loose threads
rethread the machine-top thread & bobbin

some time the top thread can come off some thread take up levers--that should be watched when sewing

check to make sure the bobbin is always wound correctly--and incorrect wound bobbin can cause sewing problems

check the needle to see if it's bent
check to make sure the needle & thread are right for the project
some sewing machine bunch under fabric when the top thread come off the thread take up lever

when you have the foot down ready for sewing,the needle thread , pull on it slowly and make sure there is resistance through the top tension, if there isnt any then the tread will ball up underneath

bunching lower thread is actually the upper thread not having enough tension due to mis-threading or wrong tension setting