Sidepipes clicking, engine missing

Jim Dandy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 03:34 PM

It seems that when I shut my car off, the sidepipe on the drivers side makes a clicking sound as it cools. This goes on for about 5 minutes after the car is shut down. The passenger sidepipe doesn't do this. Is this normal? Also I seem to get a slight miss around 3500 rpm in all gears,I can power through it but am a little concerned...... Timing?... Ignition Box?
Thanks in advance!!!!

DAVID GAGNARD · #2 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 06:01 PM

Jim;

I hear the same noises form my 1995 F-150 4x4 when I turn it off after driving for 10 minutes or more. The noises are coming form the hot exhaust manifolds and catalytic area. I assume since different metals contrat and expand at different rates when heated and cooled,that this is the source of the noise. Can't be too bad since my truck has been doing this for seven years now with no problems. Dealer told me this was normal and not to worry about it. Also,last year or so I swapped out the stock exhuast manifolds for a set of shorty headers and it still does the same thing.

As for the miss at 3500 rpms,I'd look to the distributor since it is at the same rpm regardless of what gear the car is in.

Not much help,but words of encouragement at least.

David

Ikestaa · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2002, 07:00 PM

It seems like every car I've ever been around makes the light clicking sound you are talking about. I would assume it is the metal contracting as it cools.

Mike Hausner · #4 (**permalink**) 01-23-2002, 10:10 AM

Jim, It sounds like one bank of cylinders is running cooler than the other. Check your plugs for cold or foul condition, or hot/lean conditions on the "clicking" side. It could be the plugs, wires, or fuel mixture. Not much help but it's some things to check. Let me know how you make out. Good luck. Mike H