engine noise
 

as my car gets older, i hear more noise. i have 160k miles now. for the last year or so, i have been hearing a ticking noise from the engine. i just assumed that is normal. does everyone concur? it sounds as if i am driving a diesel engine car.

more recently though, there is a new noise/rattle. it sounds like someone sticking a piece of paper in a fan and it bouncing off the blades. it only happens when i'm in gear. as soon as press the clutch or put in neutral and coast, the noise disappears. i thought it may be related to the serpentine belt, so i just replaced it..but noise still persist. any ideas?

thanks ahead of time.

i thought it could be the front engine mount...but doesn't seem to only occur at 3k rpm as most of the posts suggest. however, on a side note, the engine does make a loud thump when going from forward to reverse and vice versa.

If the mount hasn't been replaced yet it's a sure bet that it is done for at the mileage you have. Might not be the source of your noise but needs corrected.

Mike

rattle
 

my guess is muffler baffles. hotter the car louder the rattle? plus the m.m.

Exhaust leaks can sound like a ticking noise.

Stuck or worn lifters can also make a ticking noise. You might want to try using one of those automotive stethocopes to try to isolate the location.

mine also ticks audible from ext. only