when i put my a4 into just drive not overdrive i hear a ticking sound from the engine. cant hear it in overdrive though. somebody told me it could be the lifters? any ideas?

 

could be an exhaust leak, but if it only does it in drive, then i dont know if that would be it. I know i had an exhaust leak and it was a ticking sound.

Paul

 

Put a screw driver to the valve covers and see if you can pinpoint the ticking ...or the OL' my Daddy's a Doctor routine and put a stethoscope up to the valve covers and see if you can hear it out...If you find nothing get a flash light and look for Carbon build up around the intake manifold..and heads.

 

i do have a hole in my exhaust, but that makes a completley different sound and only in high rpms. am i losing horspower with a hole in my exhaust?

 

as you rev the engine slightly to say 3k rpm does the noise disapear? is the tapping present only during low oil presure? that would mean its mostly likely a lifter.
if it dosnt have those traites exactly and it sounds more or less like a high pitched tick noise then look for a loose manifold bolt or exhaust leak.....check around visualy.

 

i have leaks and was running low on oil, but the sound stays going slow to 3000 rpms just not as loud.

 

i checked the intake manifold and my exaust leak came a month after i heard the ticking sound. so its no leak