Engine Knocking only when in gear

[alxgreen]

Engine just started making a very slight knock/tapping noise tonight only when in gear.

Barely noticeable in first, but in second and forth a bit more obvious. It doesn't sound as severe as rod bearing knock and I only topped up the oil a couple days ago. Will check in the morning to see how much there actually is in there.

Any thoughts? Could potentially be drive train somewhere and not engine as it's not there when in neutral even when revved.

Any advice would be excellent, thanks everyone

[Carolyn]

Worn engine mounts? 

[alxgreen]

Update:

Just checked the oil before starting the engine this morning and it's full. So hopefully that's a good sign it's not too severe.

I looked at the engine mounts (as best I could on such a bloody low car ha!) and they seem solid

The fact it's only when in gear has me scratching my head.

Any things to try/thoughts would be a great help.

Thanks everyone

[jonbill]

When you say in gear, is that in gear and under load?

[alxgreen]

Yep only when it's in gear and you give it some throttle, when you let off the gas it's not there.

Possibly gear box? 

[alxgreen]

I actually think it's the gearbox now not the engine itself.

Anyone had any experience with gearbox knocking?

[Carolyn]

You need to get the car on jack-stands, and start checking stuff properly.  Right now you're just guessing and asking others to guess for you.

Grab hold of the driveshafts and check for sideways play.  Have a proper look at the bottom engine mounts - are the bolts central in the rubbers or sitting high?

Grab hold of the tail-pipe and give the exhaust a good waggle.  All of these are things that will show up under load.

Don't assume the worst until you've ruled out the simple stuff.  My bet is something is a bit loose and showing up when the engine is moving.

[alxgreen]

I was only asking others if they'd had anything similar as I'm no mechanic and don't have jack stands. Thought someone else might have been in the same boat. 

Thanks anyway, I'm going to take it to the garage tomorrow morning. First thing I did before posting was check heat shields, exhaust etc.

[Carolyn]

I was only asking others if they'd had anything similar as I'm no mechanic and don't have jack stands. Thought someone else might have been in the same boat. 

Thanks anyway, I'm going to take it to the garage tomorrow morning. First thing I did before posting was check heat shields, exhaust etc.

Sorry if I was 'brusque' .  Yes lots of us have had various knocking noises under load.  More often than not, it turns out to be something relatively minor.

Good luck with it and keep a close eye on your mechanic.

[jonbill]

Is it a diesel like clatter, or more occasional & intermitent like worn suspension bushes?
If the former, I wonder if maybe it's spark knock and you've got a duff tank of petrol.
Just idle speculation [emoji847]

[alxgreen]

Is it a diesel like clatter, or more occasional & intermitent like worn suspension bushes?
If the former, I wonder if maybe it's spark knock and you've got a duff tank of petrol.
Just idle speculation [emoji847]

It's more of a diesel clatter yes, it's not super loud but I noticed it as soon as it started.
I always use Shell V-Power so not sure if it's fuel, but who knows! I guess I'll find out more tomorrow, typical as I was going to drive down to Devon in it tomorrow, always the way!

[alxgreen]

Just as an update on this, it turned out to be my Gearbox diff bearing had collapsed. New gearbox it is, and clutch whilst they're in there painfully costly but she's worth it!