1995 Ford Explorer Loud thumping/knocking

TAFFEY123

MEMBER
1995 FORD EXPLORER
170,000 MILES

My explorer recently started knocking loudly. It happens only when I drive my son to school in the morning. And the thumping only last a few seconds. It's conning from under the hood. Not sure exactly where though. The mornings are cold. Not sure if that matters. Almost sounds like there's a animal under there trying to get out but there's not. What could cause this?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Have you checked the belt to make sure it isn't coming apart? Does the sound change or speed up with the speed of the engine? Does it sound like a metallic knock?

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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 8:33 AM

TAFFEY123

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3 POSTS

I don't hear it until I turn my rig off. Then it thumps loudly under hood for a few seconds then stops. Only seems to do it first drive of the day.

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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 9:34 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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109,755 POSTS

You mentioned that it happens when you drive you child to school, so I assumed it was with the engine running. That is really odd. The engine isn't over heating or anything like that, correct? Also, are you able to open the hood to try and locate an area where the noise is coming from?

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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 9:51 AM

TAFFEY123

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It only happens the second I return home from taking him to school just a few blocks away. Right when I shut car off " thump thump thump", it sounds kinda like its on passenger side under hood. I thought I had a cat underneath there the first time. But it stops after I'd say 10-15 knocks. I just drove it to town now and after shutting it off, nothing! Only in the morning. It's crazy.

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Monday, November 18th, 2013 AT 11:20 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Well, the only thing I can say is before you shut the car off tomorrow, let it run and open the hood. See if you can shut the engine and jump out to see if you can tell where the noise is coming from. This is an interesting one. Are you sure no animals jump out when you get home? You may have something sleeping in there that jumps out when you get home. I know it sounds crazy, but who knows at this point.