I've searched the threads and it doesnt seem a lot of ppl might have this issue. When I turn off the engine I hear a rattle for a split second coming from underneath the car. My initial thought was loose exhaust mounts but didn't seem so when I looked under. I have a a stock exhaust, is this normal? Again, its like metal vibrating against metal for a split second right after shutdown. Thanks.

 

yea i have the same thing...
usually you hear the normal purr of the exhaust when you shut down the car but it seems like something is slowly cranking/rattling down at shut off.. its probally more annoying than anything serious

 

Sounds like the heat shield it rattling against the Cat.
Bast thing to do is get it on a lift and shake the exhaust. Maybe you'll find the rattle.
If it is the heat shield its only alluminum and can be bent.

 

I know this sounds crazy but i was cruising the boards one day and I found a post about a rattle noise at shut down coming from underneath the car like near the tranny and the guy suggested pushing in the clutch and hold it in then turn your car off. And that should take care of it. And believe it or not it friggin worked! Now maybe its some thing else with your car but it wont hurt to try it.

 

I always hold the clutch in until I turn the car off because I leave the car in first gear when it's parked (with the emergency brake on of course). How else would you handle this? Put the car in neutral, release the clutch, then turn off the car? hmmm...

 

I have the same thing. I hate it when I shut off the car, it rattles under the car.

 

It's a fairly well known "problem". If the car is in neutral and the clutch is out, when you turn off the engine you will hear a rattling noise from the transmission as the engine winds down. It's normal according to Nissan.

 

Thanks for this...I have the annoying rattle as well. Will engage clutch before shutdown!!

 

it's the clutch chatter thing that's plagued almost everyone with a 350z...some say it's a bad throw out bearing, some have had their trannies replaced...but it's so common it sounds like it's normal.

 

My Z has done that from the get go...

Im over 60k, dont worry about it.

 

1 2 NV:

Thanks for mentioning that clutch trick. It worked for me! Now it won't sound like my car is falling apart upon shutdown. LOL!

 

Thanks to all. I tried it this morning and to my surprised, it worked.
Its really sad that our cars make soo much rattles, clanks and bangs... (and its considered normal) I'm not use to weird noises since I use to own an 84 300ZX (datsun) and 91 300ZXTT, those were built like tanks. Anyways, its good to know my car isn't falling apart.