I've been having a gradually worsening clunking sound coming from my right front for a while. It usually happens when I go over washboard or pot-holled sections of road. I had initially thought that maybe my swaybar link was loose (same thing/same noise happened to the right rear of our '93 Taurus--but it was completely unattached at one end). Then a day ago I realized that it was making a very similar sound when I start it up (immediately following the engine actually firing). So I got to thinking, and decided that my right side engine mount might be loose.

Has anybody had this problem before, or have a better idea of what a broken or loose engine mount would sound like? Thanks.

 

A broken mount will allow the engine to move. I kinda doubt that it would move just while starting, but rather while the engine is under load. If it is NOT a mount, I would look at the strut bearing in the top of the tower. Very common to get slop there and would definantly rattle on non-smooth surfaces. Because it is the connection to the body, noise is transmitted easily.
To check the mount, try raising you hood and watching the motor for movement (and noise) while starting AND while starting the car moving from a stop, in both forward AND reverse, since the torque will be tranfered in different directions.

 

Should have also mentioned exhaust and idler arm, both of which are RF and capable of making that noise as well.

 

Should have also mentioned exhaust and idler arm, both of which are RF and capable of making that noise as well.