LOUD clunk on start up

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Old 03-05-2016, 11:24 PM
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LOUD clunk on start up

2012 TSX 43k miles

Today I started the car up on a cold engine. Immediately there was an extremely loud thunk under the hood (like somebody hit the hood with a hammer.) I turned off the car, checked the oil, and everything looked fine. I inspected the engine bay and nothing looked odd.

I had the Missus recrank while looking at the engine, and everything was normal. No noise, and the car ran fine. I tried to replicate the sound, while restarting several times, but it didn't do it again.

The only thing I can think is that something was engaged improperly on start up. The AC was on, so maybe that was it? It wasn't a starter noise, and I don't think it was a mount (I've never heard a lose mount sound like that.)

I was really bummed to hear something like this under the hood with such low miles.

Any thoughts/ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

Last edited by SLCPUNK; 03-05-2016 at 11:28 PM.
Old 03-06-2016, 12:20 AM
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Engine mount is my guess
Old 03-06-2016, 11:59 AM
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My guess would be the AC Compressor engaging. Sometimes when it's been rainy/humid the surface can become like brake rotors with small amounts of rust, so when it engages instead of being smoother is grabs suddenly and can sound like a THUNK. just my .02. Nothing to worry about, I've got 88K on the odometer and have heard this on occasion.
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Old 03-07-2016, 02:19 PM
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Seen the neighbors cat lately?
Old 03-07-2016, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by RTM
Seen the neighbors cat lately?
That would be a "thunk" instead of a "clunk" as the cat gets tossed about the engine compartment.
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Old 03-07-2016, 05:42 PM
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I had this happen to me as well... still didn't know what was that about..
Old 03-08-2016, 02:09 AM
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So I'm not alone, lol. It freaked me out when I heard it, I thought the engine blew.

I haven't had it happen again. Although I've kept the AC turned off on start up since.

I could take it to the dealer I guess, but I'd imagine they wouldn't do anything about it.
Old 03-08-2016, 07:15 AM
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Just wondering.... does this only happens when the car is cold? parked overnight or for over a 8+ hr period? since you can't replicate the sound
Old 03-08-2016, 02:46 PM
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I've had the ACT ( Air Conditioning Thunk ) twice. First time scared the shit outta me as I was merging onto the highway and hit the AC.
I had repaired the condenser the day before.... thought it blew up ! All was well with the AC though, worked great.


Second time gave me a lift too, but figured out what it must / might be.


Hasn't happened since....but summer's coming, LOL
Old 03-08-2016, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by JDMaccord3.5
Just wondering.... does this only happens when the car is cold? parked overnight or for over a 8+ hr period? since you can't replicate the sound
Yes. It only happened one time. It had been turned off over night. The AC was "on" when I cranked the car. I have not yet cranked the car again with the AC in the on position to start.

I had been running the AC the previous days while on a long trip with no issues.
Old 03-08-2016, 10:31 PM
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happened to me a couple times in the 2 years I've had my 2011, super rare to happen and I may be crazy but I think its happened when it's hot and my car was sitting for awhile like 5+ hours.
Old 03-09-2016, 08:25 PM
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mine happened when it was cold (60s)... first start up in the morning...

I thought I ran into deep pot hole or something... scared the crap out of me... then I restarted, and nothing really happened... even still to this day... i have 13 tsx




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