engine noise

[tuanle16]

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.

[ammonman]

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

[nicecar]

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

[Paul]

Exhaust leaks can sound like a ticking noise.

[thstone]

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.

[nicecar]

mine also ticks audible from ext. only