Guys,
Since replacing my power steering pump I have noticed a very light metallic tick coming from the rear of the engine down low. It does it in all gears, including park. I was thinking flex plate but my mechanic swears mine was good as we just installed the engine 800 miles ago. I had a piece of shredded belt on the back of the crank pulley that was lightly slapping the oil filter, this sound is similar but definitely at the rear of the engine/front of transmission. Engine is running great, temps are normal (ultragauge) and only has a few very small oil leaks. Could the flex plate have been bent installing the engine? Transmission is shifting fine as is the transfer case. You can only hear the tick outside the vehicle down low. No codes, starts fine and runs great. Any ideas as this is driving me nuts?

 

Have you looked into the inspection hole where you can see the flex plate and flywheel? Perhaps run the engine at idle and check it out through the inspection hole? This may help to hone in on the symptoms.

 

acg,
Are you talking about the hole on the side of the bell housing or the bottom? If it is the one on the side how does it come off? I looked under the bottom one with 3 screws and didn't see anything abnormal. Thanks

 

My problem may not be related to your problem... but hope this may be useful info....

I chased a tick a couple of months ago from around the same area where you mentioned.Similar symptoms, i.e., it does it in all gears, including park. Checked the inspection hole and flexplate was rotating fine.

It turned out to be an exhaust leak.

 

A friend who is a local Rover expert thinks it could be an exhaust leak too, we hope to get it up on his lift soon to take a look. I will let you all know what we find out.