3rd gear ticking... more like rattling

[badger]

Noticed today a new noise coming from my traveller.
When in third gear there is a rythmical ticking noise, not too loud but definitely there (more noticable when coasting down hill in gear). Could this mean I have chipped a tooth in the gear? Any other suggestions? (hoping someone will come along and say try tightening this and it will stop!)
Am I safe to keep driving while I work out what's wrong?

Thanks in advance

[PSL184]

Are you sure its not the fuel pump?

[bmcecosse]

Third gear (and 2nd and Top) is in constant mesh - so no - you won't have chipped a tooth! I suppose it's just possible (but highly unlikely) that some debris has gone through the gearbox -and somehow damaged the gears - but I like the fuelpump idea!

[badger]

Wouldn't the fuel pump be a constant noise? After driving to work this morning it's definitely more of a rattle than a tick though, and only in 3rd...

[katy]

Check the universal joints.

[simmitc]

I had exactly this symptom but in 2nd instead of third. Draining the oil revealed a lump of tooth that came out with the oil. Whether in constant mesh or not, the noise was only in 2nd, and when stripping the box, it was 2nd that was chipped. Everyone agreed that my only option was box out and strip to find out where the problem was. Driving it will ultimately make it worse, but short term it will "get you home" from wherever you decide to go.