Tinklibg noise when in gear

[claytonnc]

Hey all,
great site and first post so hi to you all.
My wifes 1999 xls with a v6 makes a tinkling noise when in reverse or forward.
In Neutral or park it isn't there.
It's coming from under the hood and I can't track it down.
It just sounds like a faint bell or something small rattling around but why just in gear?

This is her daily driver and I'd like to figure this out.
Trucks got 119,000 on it and I maintain myself so any insight would be appreciated.

 

[lugnuts55]

I would look for a loose heat shield on the exhaust cross-over pipe. The engine frequency at idle is different while in gear. A hose clamp will hold it in place.

 

[claytonnc]

Dear Lord I hope that's all it is...I'm so broke!

Thanks