after i turn off the car and walk away, i sometimes hear a slight "clunk" sound after about 2-3 minutes. anybody know what that is?

 

Just your average run of the mill metal shrinking due to cooling...

Rocketboy_X

 

i've noticed this too only recently (after 1400 miles). at first i thought it was an acorn falling on the car from a neaby tree or malicious squirrel but it has happened several times. i'm assuming it's benign.

 

>>i've noticed this too only recently (after 1400 miles). at first i thought it was an acorn falling on the car from a neaby tree or malicious squirrel but it has happened several times. i'm assuming it's benign.>>>

Hmmm...I had an acorn fall into my back seat through the sunroof while my wife and I were going for a spin the other day. It sounded like quite a thump!

 

I've had the "clunk" sound too, but only while the car is running, and I can only hear it at idle. I'ts pretty loud, but as my car only has a couple hundred miles on it, I figure it is just metal curing sounds. What do I know though. :smile:

 

Not sure if this is what you're hearing, but the MINI has a feature when the door (either passenger or driver) is opened, the window is lowered about a 1/4 inch. Then when the door is closed, it is moved back up to insure a good seal against the rubber. I've noticed the sound as being something like a 'clunk', but it usually happens immediately after the door is closed on my 2003 MC. Just a thought.

 

Thank you. Finally some validation. I thought of acorns too. Mine started making the noise when I turned it off...then I started hearing it when I was stopped at a light. It seems to be doing it more and more. I'm at 4000 miles now so I'm starting to wonder what it is. I too thought it was just the metal cooling but I thought that would stop after awhile. Please post if anyone can get an answer on this problem.

 

>> I too thought it was just the metal cooling but I thought that would stop after awhile. Please post if anyone can get an answer on this problem.

It does, after it cools..

but you said that you hear it when you are stopped... is your engine warm or cold then?

Rocketboy_X

 

Mine is definitely after the engine is off, maybe up to a minute or three. I haven't stood around waiting much longer. It really doesn't sound like metal contraction but I can't think of anything else it could be. Fortunately, it is very sporadic.

 

>>Mine is definitely after the engine is off, maybe up to a minute or three. I haven't stood around waiting much longer. It really doesn't sound like metal contraction but I can't think of anything else it could be. Fortunately, it is very sporadic.

Yep... You didn't say if you had a MC or MCS, but they both run pretty hot (it's rather cramped in there)... but my old chevy cav., after being on the road for a while, would clunk a good 5 minutes after i shut her down...

Rocketboy_X

 

Rocketboy,

This sound is almost a perfect akin to the acorn hitting the roof, except that it sounds like it's falling and hitting the underside of the bonnet or centre (cool British spelling) tunnel.

It's not a sound like the "ticking" usually assciated with metal contraction. That said - I'm still not worried about it. I'll ask the next time I drop in to the dealer.

Randy

 

You guys are killing me. I've got the same problem.I thought I was nuts. I began hearing it around September after 2000 miles. What is it. I usually hear it when the engine is warm and the car is at idle or just turned off. Ping Plunck Ping It sound like an acorn hitting the roof to me. Maybee it's those famous wee British gremlins dancing on the roof :smile: