Radiator Banging?

[ttora4runner]

Made a run out to Nevada today to do some exploring about half-way though I noticed that the lowers drivers side was wet (control arm, CV, frame) and just thought that it was just some water that I ran though and didn't give a second
thought. It ran fine all day nothing weird.

Well, when I get home (after 3 hour drive back) I go to shut it off and I starting hearing this loud bang! bang! bang! like some one hitting metal. Walk around to the front of my and I can hear the radiator gurgling and something banging. By the time I go to pop the hood and grab my camera to grab a sound bit. It stops.

What would cause it to bang? I wasn't able to see any leaks when I looked where it was wet on the drivers side.

 

[bryson]

Air in the cooling system? Now that it's cool, check the coolant level.

 

[carsonc1974]

Maybe your radiator cap burping coolant into the reservior?

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[ttora4runner]

Check it this morning after it set over night. The fluid in the radiator is at the proper level and there is hardly any fluid in the overflow reservoir.

 

[bryson]

Exhaust cooling off after you shut your engine off can also make a banging sound as it contracts... Is there a chance that this is the noise? I think a gurgling sound in your radiator just after shutting off the engine is also a normal noise.