May 1992

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Dear Tom and Ray:
I have a 1989 Ford Tempo. I would like to know if I have a problem. My car ticks like a clock after I turn it off. The dealer said to ignore it, but it still bothers me. Why is my car doing this while others don't?
Blanche

TOM: Well, unless you've just been through a nasty legal battle, Balnche, then ticking sounds coming from your car are generally nothing to worry about.

RAY: It's probably just the exhaust system cooling off. Most things expand when they heat up, and shrink when they cool down. If you don't believe us, reach into some strange man's swim trunks next time you go swimming in the ocean. After a drive, your metal exhaust system cools down and contracts. And the sound you hear is the creaking of the metal.

TOM: And it DOES happen to other people's cars. You're probably just not in the habit of standing around parking lots, listening to strangers cars as they cool down. And that's good, Blanche. We'd be worried about you if you did that.

Back to the May 1992 index

© 2008 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.