Posted on 8/29/2025
It can be unsettling to park your car, turn off the ignition, and still hear strange sounds coming from under the hood. Some of these noises are harmless, but others could point to issues that need attention. Post-shutdown noises often originate from heat, cooling cycles, or mechanical systems that continue to run briefly after the engine stops. Knowing which sounds are normal and which are concerning helps you decide whether a trip to the repair shop is necessary. Normal Cooling Noises Engines generate a lot of heat during operation, and even after you shut them off, that heat continues to dissipate. It’s common to hear clicking, pinging, or ticking sounds as metal components expand and contract during cooling. Exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, and engine blocks all produce these noises naturally. They usually fade within a few minutes and don’t indicate a problem. Radiator and Cooling Fan Sounds Modern vehic ... read more