Loud clicking sound under car

Tiny
KYRA WARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 44,000 MILES
When I came home from taking my mom to the airport, I turned my car off and started heading inside when I noticed it was making a loud clicking noise. I realized it was coming from under my car, and this is the first time I’ve heard it. I don’t know why it is making that sound or if I should worry. It’s the only car making that sound in the garage and it’s very annoying.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 4:09 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is pretty rhythmic but I suspect that is the normal cooling off ticking. The exhaust system and some other engine components will tick when they are cooling off. How long before it stopped doing this? Couple minutes?

Just off the bat, I think it is normal but let me know how long before it stops and we can go from there. Thanks.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 4:08 PM
Tiny
KYRA WARD
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Hi. Thanks for answering. I went upstairs but I had went back down like 10 minutes later and it was still making the sound but way quieter than before. About 30-40 minutes later I went out and the car was quiet and I ended up driving somewhere. When I came back home I did not hear the sound at all after I turned it off.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. More then likely the exhaust shifted just a touch and as the metal was cooling it was causing the clicking noise. The fact that 10 minutes later it was quieter just confirms this. Basically as the metal was cooling it was not moving as much so it was not as loud. It is not something to worry about but it is annoying. So if it starts doing it consistently then I would try and loosen all the exhaust bolts and start from the front of the vehicle and tighten them working back. That should reposition it so it stops. If it doesn't then it is metal inside the converter or muffler making the noise.
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Saturday, October 17th, 2020 AT 6:04 PM

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