Loud clinking sound when driving?

2014 NISSAN VERSA
95,000 MILES • 1.6L • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
NOTAMECHANICATALL
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello, hope all is well. I am having a loud clinking sound when i drive. Like metal bars hitting each other. As well as the smell of gas when driving and it sounds rough like a race car when i turn the car on and driving. Hope that made sense because it's hard to explain. It drives fine but the clinking sound is embarrassing because it is really loud. I know i have bad engine mounts.
Sep 10, 2022 at 12:17 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi,

Is the smell like gas or more like exhaust? When driving, does it sound like the muffler may have fallen off? Is it possible for you to record the sound and upload it for me to hear? Hopefully, I will recognize what it is.

Let me know.

Joe
Sep 10, 2022 at 8:06 PM
Avatar
NOTAMECHANICATALL
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for your response, Joe! It's more of an exhaust smell. Here is the sound!
Sep 12, 2022 at 9:41 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi,

That sounds like it is coming from the exhaust. It's possible that the internal components in the catalytic converter or muffler have come disconnected inside. It could even be a tailpipe dragging. Have you checked under the vehicle to make sure nothing is hanging?

Also, do me a favor. Take a rubber mallet and tap on the exhaust to see if you can reproduce the sound. Have a helper do it for you while you try to locate where it's coming from.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
Sep 12, 2022 at 6:39 PM
Avatar
NOTAMECHANICATALL
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hey Joe! You were right! My muffler was disconnected. Was just hanging and swinging like a monkey, lol. Thank you for your time and knowledge! Take care.

-Jay
Sep 12, 2022 at 6:47 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Jay,

You are very welcome. That explains the sound and smell. LOL Regardless, do you plan to fix it yourself or are you having it done? Let me know. If you plan to do it yourself, I will be happy to help. Actually, I would never expect the muffler to have fallen off on this new of a vehicle and the mileage on it.

Regardless, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Also, please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe
Sep 12, 2022 at 7:07 PM