So somewhat recently whenever i start my car, i hear and feel a *clunk* right after the engine turns over. Feels to be in the tranny area. It almost sounds like when the engine first turns over its hitting something in the tranny a little harder than it should. Its just one *clunk* on start up. Its loudest on a cold start, usually noticeable on a warm start, but not as much. I used to have a loud *clunk* when shifting to reverse but that seems to have gone away. Now its just when i start the car. I have 82,000 miles on it. Everything seems to be in good condition. Oil changed every 3000. Driven hard sometimes but nothing stupid like neutral drops er downshifting to slow down er anything like that. Just heavy on the throttle a decent amount. Any ideas as to what that is? Should i be worried? Anyone else experience this? 2002 Monte Carlo SS

 

I would check engine mounts and maybe the starter is starting to tighten up and not release off the flex plate quick enough. Just a few ideas to start with

 

x2 on checking your motor mount and don't forget to check the transmission mount too

 

Thanks for the advice guys! Ill do that. So would that just be something to be tightened? Something thats just moving around when the engine shakes from starting? Im not familiar with what the mounts even look like lol how hard of a fix would that be. Or if its the starter not releasing the flex plate like John said..?

 

There is a few engine mounts and the bushings etc wear out in them causing to much movement.

The dog bone mounts are the ones from the rad support to the engine on the top side and these are simple to change.

Lower engine mount is by the harmonic balancer and if it needs changed you either have to unbolt and lift the engine a bit or drop the sub frame after engine is supported to replace it.

Trans mount is on the driver side behind the wheel. Same steps to replace this as the lower engine mount.

If I'm not mistaking the lower engine mount and trans mount are a hydraulic mount and like to leak and collapse so this may be your issue. I doubt they came loose so tightening them probably won't do anything.

 

Sorry i havent checked the thread in awhile, but thank you for the advice..!! Im hoping thats all it is. Not only does it clubk but when warming up and the engine is vibrating alot i here a constant light knocking that dosent increase with rev or anything, and goes away when in drive or warmed up, just sounds like rattling clunking and i can feel it in the shifter. So im hoping its the trans mount and stuff is just moving around too much. So i was thinking of replacing all the mounts, upper and lower, with ZZP poly mounts.

 

Poly mounts are great that's what I use but keep in mind there a solid poly mount so you will get some vibration with them. The vibration don't bother me but some people it does bother.