Metallic clanking sound at start up
 

I know there's a few threads here about metallic clanking sounds at start up, from either the engine compartment or under the car.

Might be a good time for others to post/learn about this as some of us face this issue. I'm not sure which place the sounds my car is making are coming from (engine or underneath the car). At start up, when car has been sitting over night.

1. Noise lasts approximately 15 long seconds, unless trans is placed in drive or reverse, then it stops. Why would that stop the sounds?
2. Absolutely sounds metallic, like exhaust heat shield. I have not crawled under the car yet to inspect, but I will. But, why would sounds stop after just a few seconds with trans engaged and then back to park?
3. Anyone been fooled by such a sound to find out it was a drive belt slapping around?
4. I'm hoping it isn't timing chain/tensioner issues. Hard to believe it could be the chain because such a loud clanking racket suggests the engine wouldn't go down the road without seizing. No whiring sounds when driving.
5. Seems to need at least an overnight time frame for noises to come back at start up. Not after even 4-5 hours.
6. Engine power and MPG are fine.

2011. Car has 70,000 miles. Change oil with Mobil 1 twice a year. Have used different oil filters. Using Mobil 1 filter now. I can video and post the YouTube link.

Maybe we can help each other out as our cars age. I'd like to hang onto the car for another 8 years, without a timing chain job for big $$ if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

Mike

What weight oil are you using? I would switch to a better oil than Mobil 1.. I would never trust that oil for long drains...
DId the noise start when you went with that Mobil 1 filter? Could be a bad anti drain back valve in that filter...

Nmax. Thanks for the reply. I've been using the 5-30 weight for 50k miles now. I change the oil and filter ever 4k miles. I've used different oil filters. The noise is intermittent and unpredictable. Years ago I thought it was the serpentine belt slapping around, and it might be. The other day the sound was there and louder/longer than usual. Sounded bad. Then the next day...nothing!

Thanks lalo. I'm hoping that's the issue. Curious whey no noise when I'm at a stop light, or after a few seconds at start up I've had exhaust shields on different cars rattle all the time. I'll be checking under the car this weekend.

I had soemthing similar and it turned out to be the metal collars on either side of the flexible part of the exhaust. There is one on each exhaust line. I don't know exactly what it's called...but I would have very similar noises at odd times. I ended up cutting them off with a dremel tool. I'm sure a local exhaust shop would do it pretty cheap.

Thanks for the input NCS. One confusing part of the noise issue I'm having, is I can put the car in drive or reverse immediately when starting the engine, and the noise stops. Go right back to park, noise gone. All in a matter of seconds.

I have this same problem did you find a solution?

"I had a very similar noise on mine. 09 sv sport and it was the heat shield clamps, they were broken. I took them off and replaced them with Home Depot 4” steel hose clamps, no more noise. Lol."

That was my issue too!

"I had soemthing similar and it turned out to be the metal collars on either side of the flexible part of the exhaust. There is one on each exhaust line. I don't know exactly what it's called...but I would have very similar noises at odd times. I ended up cutting them off with a dremel tool. I'm sure a local exhaust shop would do it pretty cheap."

That was one of the noisemakers for me also. I rolled up some aluminum foil into a couple of ropes, wrapped them around one of the gaps, then finished them off with hose clamps from Home Depot. Noises gone.

GNC, See my replies. Hopefully your noises are as simpler as mine were.

Yep, that WAS the issue. No engine or suspension issues. A very satisfying and not expensive fix.