Q: I hear a tiny sound, like a loose heat shield when I start up the car in the morning...it goes away as the truck warms up.

asked by on August 20, 2016

Hear a tiny clinking sound when I start my truck...sounds like loose heat shield or something similar...what could it be?

My car has 49000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Ford Explorer overheating
Hi. The vehicles with the 4.0L engine and this specific year have many different issues that could cause the engine to overheat. Some things to look out for are the radiator side tanks and thermostat housing that leak. Also, the...
Where does the vent line from front of the gas tank go?
Hi, thanks for writing in. The vent line or EVAP tube the comes from the gas tank is typically routed to the intake manifold. The intake manifold is where the air is mixed with the fuel before it reaches the...
Check Engine Light is on - 2012 Nissan Xterra
Anytime a code is stored, it will stay stored and the Check Engine Light will stay on until the ECM memory is cleared. If the problem is fixed, then the light and code should not come back. Many times a...
Cold engine misfire and hesitation - 1997 Dodge Dakota
Hi. I believe the ambient air temperature sensor, which measures the intake air temperature for engine management, has failed. It is reporting a far higher temperature than the engine is getting, as you have noted. Engine management is creating a...
Do I need donut gaskets for the exhaust manifold?
If the exhaust does not have a leak as a result of the missing gaskets, I would not recommend going through the trouble of having them installed. However, the moment that the exhaust starts to leak out of the manifold...
Very hard staring after engine cools off
This may be a result of a cold start fuel supply issue. When you start your car when it is cold and turn the key to on, the coolant temperature sensor immediately reads the temperature of the coolant and relays...
Can I swap a 97 4.3 with a 94 4.3?
Hi there. You can change the engine block, but the cylinder heads will not match up. The cylinder heads for a 94 was made for an intake with a throttle body and injection in the throttle body where the 97...
How do you know when evaporative emission vapor vent tube from fuel tank to evaporative emission canister is faulty?
If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in...
What can cause a car to stop moving besides the transmission?
If the vehicle sounded like it was in neutral and not moving while in gear, this is quite likely related to a transmission issue, which may be any number of things. This may indicate a failing speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-speed-sensor-replacement). The...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Focus
The The 2012 Ford Focus brings a lot to the world of compact cars. Available as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Focus has great fuel efficiency and European styling that sets it apart from other cars...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria
This This enduring Ford classic enjoyed a nearly two-decade run before being discontinued from the retail market with the 2007 model-year being the last. Ever-popular with law enforcement (for whom models continued in production through 2011), and senior citizens, the...
The Best Used Cars to Buy That Can Be Towed Behind an RV
Summer Summer is a great time for a road trip, but often travelers like bringing all the conveniences of home along, in the form of an RV. Then they tow their car behind it – sometimes this practice is called...