Is it normal to hear a ticking sound from the chassis after parking?
2 Answers
It is normal to hear a ticking sound from the chassis after parking. The reasons are as follows: The ticking sound from the chassis after parking is mostly the cooling sound of the catalytic converter, which is a normal phenomenon. Of course, there are other reasons, but most of the sounds produced after the car is turned off are caused by thermal expansion and contraction, so car owners don't need to worry. Source of the sound: The ticking sound from the chassis may be the cooling sound of the catalytic converter. The working temperature of the catalytic converter is very high, so when the car is turned off, the temperature drop requires a process. Moreover, it is mostly made of metal parts, so according to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, a ticking sound will occur. The cooling sound of the exhaust pipe. The ticking sound from the exhaust pipe mostly comes from the front end of the exhaust pipe and the flexible connection. When the car is running, the temperature is high, and during the temperature drop process, the ticking sound is caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the metal parts. Turbo cooling sound. Normally, the temperature of the exhaust gas produced by the car is around 700 degrees. After the car is turned off, the sound produced by the metal parts due to thermal expansion and contraction becomes more obvious. Abnormal noise caused by uneven cooling of the engine. After the car has been running for a while, the engine temperature will be very high. However, after the engine is turned off, the temperature drop rates of various parts are inconsistent, so the gaps between various parts of the engine will rub against each other due to thermal expansion and contraction, producing abnormal noise.
After parking, the chassis makes a ticking sound, which is mostly normal. I've experienced similar situations many times. This is caused by the contraction of metal parts as they cool down after the engine and exhaust system have been running at high temperatures, similar to the sound of a cooling pot. Particularly near the catalytic converter or muffler, where materials have significant thermal expansion and contraction properties, this usually doesn't affect safety, and the sound will disappear within minutes. However, if the sound persists for too long or is accompanied by a burning smell or smoke, be cautious, as it may indicate an exhaust leak or loose components, which could pose a fire hazard. Therefore, I recommend listening quietly for a while after turning off the engine to confirm it's a temporary phenomenon; otherwise, it's best to visit a repair shop to check the exhaust system and fasteners to prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs.
