Imagine the noise the engine makes after a long drive, lets say 4 hours. When you turn the engine of and you hear the little noises the engine makes from cooling off. Some of the noises are louder than others. Imagine the loudest clank it makes when its cooling down.

Well in this instance when im driving, I hear this clanking noise, it sounds as if someone is taking a tiny wrench and tapping the exhaust manifold ONCE. It does it at different times, not a steady noise.

Is there a mechanism in the engine or under the body carriage that turns or moves while the vehicle operates that may be loose or disconnected from something and tapping on the frame? I was thinking the transmission may have something on it like that but no engine lights are on.

Engine has 111,000 miles on it. 2006 Dodge Ram Hemi 4.7L

 

Do it do it sitting still? Is it louder when the engine is cold? Does it change with engine speed?

 

How about a sheared exhaust manifold bolt causing the manifold to clank against the block at times???

 

Thanks for the reply P38251 and Hammer. I opened the hood, started it and stood there for a few minutes till it did it again, it sounds the same while stationary and while im going at least 45. While i was standing in the hood, its coming from the outer portion of the engine because its like right there, I just cant tell where its coming from. But more than likely it sounds like the exhaust heat shield, im going to take a good long stick and kind of press on it and play around with it so I can pin point it. Its killing me, cant stand for noise in my engine and I dont know where its coming from.

 

I just watched a video on YouTube that described much the same thing you are experiencing. Turned out to be some sheared bolts on the heat shield of the manifold. Sounds like it would be the area you are hearing it originate from, too.