Strange snapping sound every 54 seconds or so

[NYGarageQueen]

I have been noticing this and it is starting to worry me. When the car is warming up, I hear a "snap!" noise come from where it appears to be towards the rear of the intake. I sat there for 5 minutes counting the intervals and it is around every 54 seconds .. about 4-5 minutes after that the interval changes but usually there is at least 30 seconds between.

She has a little over 100 thousand miles on her.. When I had the oil pan off I did not notice any metal shavings in the pan nor on the filter of the pickup tube.

I was thinking that I want to pull the motor soon to paint the block, is this worth tearing her apart?

I have a spare SOHC 4.6 (shot) sitting in the driveway that I would like to throw on a stand and tear it down to see how everything is put together, etc. and how everything goes back together - the internal of a motor and tranny is the only things I have never touched before - and I do not want to "experiment" on the DOHC until I know what I am doing ;).

[GetMeMyStogie]

Was your A/C or heat turned on? What you describe sounds to me like the A/C clutch engaging, which can happen any time the blower is turned on (except in Vent).

[fastblackmerc]

Could also be the exhaust system expanding.

[Marauderjack]

I have been noticing this and it is starting to worry me. When the car is warming up, I hear a "snap!" noise come from where it appears to be towards the rear of the intake. I sat there for 5 minutes counting the intervals and it is around every 54 seconds .. about 4-5 minutes after that the interval changes but usually there is at least 30 seconds between.

She has a little over 100 thousand miles on her.. When I had the oil pan off I did not notice any metal shavings in the pan nor on the filter of the pickup tube.

I was thinking that I want to pull the motor soon to paint the block, is this worth tearing her apart?

I have a spare SOHC 4.6 (shot) sitting in the driveway that I would like to throw on a stand and tear it down to see how everything is put together, etc. and how everything goes back together - the internal of a motor and tranny is the only things I have never touched before - and I do not want to "experiment" on the DOHC until I know what I am doing ;).

The A/C condensate drain drips directly onto the exhaust system in Marauders and that might just be it??:confused: Mine would sound as if there was a paper cup rattling in the passenger's side kick panel whenever I turned to the left going slow!!:mad2:

I fabbed a diverter that directs the water away from the exhaust AND the insulation on the floor pan...works GREAT!!:beer:

Just a thought!!:D

[NYGarageQueen]

Well it would not be the A/C as of yet, the compressor is unplugged because other components took a diveeee. But - you guys may be on to something there with the exhaust, I need to get one of those stethoscope things to diagnose :)

It happens when the motor is warming up, so it would make sense if its the exhaust system expanding. I believe I would hear the same noise after the motor has been off for a while after running, which I would take a shot it would be the exhaust system again.

Marauderjack, that is a great idea for the diverter especially to keep that water away from the floor pan!

[Marauderjack]

Thanks.....it works great and it is CHEAP!!:beer:

6" x 1.5" piece of aluminum flashing and form like the first photo then just push it up between the air box drain and the firewall.....there is some adhesive there and it will stay put!!:beer:

Not only does it keep the water off the exhaust but also keeps from ruining the insulation under there between the exhaust and floor pan!!:D

[RF Overlord]

I sometimes hear a "snap" sound from somewhere in the engine compartment after shutting down Phoebe. It doesn't matter if it's been a quick trip to the grocery store or a long highway trip. It's done it for the 3 years and 50,000 miles we've owned her. I always figured it was some aluminium casting expanding or contracting.

[fastblackmerc]

I sometimes hear a "snap" sound from somewhere in the engine compartment after shutting down Phoebe. It doesn't matter if it's been a quick trip to the grocery store or a long highway trip. It's done it for the 3 years and 50,000 miles we've owned her. I always figured it was some aluminium casting expanding or contracting.

That is the exhaust system contracting. Sounds like a crack or ping.

[NYGarageQueen]

That is the exhaust system contracting. Sounds like a crack or ping.

Yea that is pretty much the sound, scares the crap out of you.

[fastblackmerc]

Yea that is pretty much the sound, scares the crap out of you.

Not me anymore....

[Marauderjack]

I sometimes hear a "snap" sound from somewhere in the engine compartment after shutting down Phoebe. It doesn't matter if it's been a quick trip to the grocery store or a long highway trip. It's done it for the 3 years and 50,000 miles we've owned her. I always figured it was some aluminium casting expanding or contracting.

Mine used to crackle and spit when I parked after running the A/C......condensate as described above!!:shake:

Try running water down the passenger's side of you windshield when you stop and see if that is what you might be hearing??:confused:

If not it may just be the exhaust expanding and contracting??:cool:

[RF Overlord]

I'm familiar with the "ping" the tips make when cooling off, although neither of my cars does that.

I suppose what I hear *could* be the exhaust, but both cars have the Cobra manifold and X-pipe setup from Dennis, along with aftermarket mufflers, so only the tailpipes are stock and the sound is definitely coming from the engine compartment.