loud ticking

[MBrake]

I have a 91 tsi awd automatic, its making a loud ticking noise, seems to be louder at the back of the motor an much louder under the car. Its consistent with the rpm, you can here it while in park but its much louder as soon as you put it in gear or neutral. I thought lifters initially but I don't understand why it would be quieter in park. What else could cause a ticking noise...... is it possible this noise could be a cracked flexplate or possibly from the torque converter?

 

[slickers111]

Louder in gear because theres load being put on the motor. If you let off the brake, it would roll. In park/neutral, its got no load.

Check the oil level.

There are way too many things that could cause tick. If you want us to help, you need to be alot more descriptive of the tick, and its pinpointed location. Video?

 

[gsexxx]

I still wouldn't rule out the lifters assuming you don't have revised lifters. As stated above, check oil level. Are you positive it isn't a bad exhaust mani gasket? A video would help a lot.

 

[shhh i know]

I agree lifters are usually the perpetrator. Assuming that you have enough oil in the car. Also I found that using FRAM oil filters caused me to have ticking lifters, so I switched to a K&N and my ticking went away. I think it had something to do with the built in bypass that the FRAMs don't have. I know the factory oil filters had them too. This could be an easy thing to try and see if your ticking stops.