Clicking noise from car after you turn off the engine... WHAT IS IT?

[aphex]

You all know what im talking about... That clicking noise you hear from the engine after you turn it off, im pretty sure all cars do it... What is it??
Im guessin it might be water (maybe condensation) dripping onto the engine or something and sizzling.... I dunno, anyone???

 

[TopGun]

Engine components cooling most likely, exhaust...etc.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

It's the metal contracting from cooling.

Nik

 

[aphex]

Makes sense... Thanks!

 

[Brutuskend]

Yup, what they said!

 

[Tominator]

I read a good article on this subject and although the noise has to do with the cooling of the metal it is not caused by the contraction of the metal.

I'm looking for the article...

 

[Mikelh]

The usual cause is the immediate cooling of the exhaust manifold heat shield.

Michael

 

[Tominator]

<< The usual cause is the immediate cooling of the exhaust manifold heat shield. >>



Cooling engines and popping sounds predates exhaust heat shields.

 

[Migroo]

Yes but that doesnt mean that the exhaust heat shields are not also making the noise Tominator. It varies from car to car.

 

[Pacfanweb]

It is the metal cooling. Heat shields on some, exhaust pipe on some, mufflers on some....anything metal is subject to expand and contract and therefore make noise.
It makes noise when it's warming up, too....you just can't hear it over the engine.

 

[dude]

No. You're all wrong!

It's actually a device car manufactures install hidden under the hood that gets activated for about 10 mintues after you cut off the engine. It's technical name for this device is "the clicker thingy".

That or it was the chipmonks that run the wheel for the engine to go.... I can't remember...

 

[nave456]

<< That or it was the chipmonks that run the wheel for the engine to go.... I can't remember... >>

you're close.... the chipmonks are taking a break and are having a quick snack before they must run on the wheel again.... they noise is them eating some acorns/assorted nuts