aaddpp

Following shut down I can hear what sounds like the dripping sound of some fluid hitting a pan. At first I thought it might have been those creaking sounds you hear as metal pans / pipes / etc. contract as they cool, but the frequency of the sound (maybe 2 or 3 drops per second) seems too consistent for metal expansion / contraction.

I have been around the engine with a stethoscope, and picked up the loudest sound around the oil pan though I don't think I am right on the sound b/c it still sounds somewhat distant.

Is this common / part of the car's operation, or is there something I should look at in greater detail.

Thanks,
Dave

G Man

Maybe it is just oil draining back down into the pan? If it is not all over the ground I would not worry to much.

SeanR

Have you had the A/C on? Condensation?

davek9

That was my first thought.

aaddpp

The A/C has been off. The few times I have had a chance to drive it, it has been too cold for a/c. Also, the belly pans have been off for months as I do service when I have time. Were you thinking the compressor condensation was dripping on the belly pan?

SeanR

Evaporator condensation will drip down by the Cats, and on to the rear belly pan.

Mrmerlin

yes when I shut off my 88 S4 i can also hear fluids dripping its quite normal as its been doing it for 22 years and there are no puddles

aaddpp

Relief to hear. I don't know enough about the 928 engine internals yet, but my guess was the engine oil was hitting some sort of internal baffle contained within the oil pan.

Many Thanks,
Dave

9x8

Yea, I noticed this once as well.
Although I never went as far as you with the stethoscope, and just decided that it indeed was a sound from cats/headers.

Shark Attack

this drove me nuts till I figured it out.