General Strange ticking sound in 1st and 2nd gear???

[Maattttt]

my car makes a strange ticky-clicky sound when in 1st and 2nd gear traveling at low speeds and is at its loudest at around 15mph. i'm not sure if it is only in 1st and 2nd gears, or if it is just in those gears and at those speeds i can hear it, as the frequency of the clicks increases with speed
does anybody have any ideas what it may be? not only is it driving me crazy, but i'm worried its going to be doing damage to my car, which inevitably = MONEY

all help and comments appreciated

 

[HiRich]

If it increases with roadspeed rather than engine speed, it's related to the transmission rather than engine. The key, obviously, is to work out where on the car it is occurring. Try it with driver's, then passenger's window open, to see if you can get a better idea.

One dumb idea, check your tyres. There's a fair chance that it is just a piece of gravel or shrapnel - hopefully just trapped in the tread (some patterns just attract this stuff), worse a nail through the tyre. This creates a tapping sound, and especially if it's on the nearside it may get drowned out as you pick up speed.

 

[ChrisUK]

Hmm how loud?. if you can hear it in the cabin with windows up id worry if not I wouldn't. The gearboxes on those engines are common to 'chatter' at those speeds at those revs and can be hard with windows down but not up.

 

[pixiespunto]

Hey, I Too Hav A Ticking Noise So Took It To Local Tyre And Exhaust Place, Which Put It On The Ramps And Had A Good Look Around. They Found That The Heat Shield On The Cat Was Loose. Try Checking That Out!!

 

[alexces]

Hmm how loud?. if you can hear it in the cabin with windows up id worry if not I wouldn't. The gearboxes on those engines are common to 'chatter' at those speeds at those revs and can be hard with windows down but not up.

hello,

i have a barchetta and when was cold outside i used to hear the same constant ticking just for 10 min after starting the engine. It was all about the transmission. The belt was contracted cause of the cold. Now are 20 degrees and i hear no sounds anymore.

hope this will relax you