ticking noise when in Reverse & Drive but nothing in Neutral?? V6 auto..

[CV6Z]

just noticed a ticking noise when i put the car in Reverse and also Drive?? but nothing in park or neutral...??

i have no idea what it could be or if its just normal but could someone lead me in the right direction as to what it might be?

[lufkin]

my car used to tick ended up being a tiny crack in the exhaust manifold

[CV6Z]

hmmm...might have to get it up on the hoist n have a look i think...its only when the car is in drive or reverse

[mynameisearl]

balance shaft? mine ticks but not in park...

[CV6Z]

Yeah same, it doesnt tick in park or nuetral only in reverse or drive...

Whats the balance shaft?

[acarmody]

Its a balancing shaft to remove 3rd or 4th order harmonics from the engine, or something like that. It sits in the below the inlet manifold, if you take the inlet manifold you can see it.



Thats it running down the middle there.

[CV6Z]

Yeah cool, so if its ticking i assume its out of balance? If it is how is this fixed? Is it a major problem waiting to happen?

I know nothing about this thats why i have so many questions lol