Car makes an occasional tinkling noise,it's not a rattle or knock or a vibration closest comparison would be if someone dropped a load of pins on the floor.

Generally happens at low rev range so i assume it's my gearbox and hoping to god that noise isn't a bunch of gear teeth knocking around, drives mostly fine otherwise, has usual old car things but this one just shouts expensive to me

 

Mk6 '05 fiesta 

It could be Pinking caused by the combustion process not behaving like it should do.

Modern cars have Knock sensors that should ***** the Ignition in stages when they detect Pinking although if it is too bad they might not be able to. Oil leaking into the combustion chamber can also cause it, especially down worn Valve Stems, and at 17 years old your engine is likely to be well worn.

The next time your fuel is low put some of the higher octane fuel in to see if that helps and don't labour the engine at low revs, it is the worse thing you can do for any engine and drivetrain and if it is not Pinking then something else has probably suffered premature damage as a result.

Edit - The bad word police have blanked out one of the words🙂. The blanked word was the opposite of Advance.

 

Very detailed thank you, I'll give what you suggested a go then and see if that helps.

Will probably get the whole car checked over at some point anyway as well though

13 hours ago, Tizer said:

It could be Pinking caused by the combustion process not behaving like it should do.

Modern cars have Knock sensors that should ***** the Ignition in stages when they detect Pinking although if it is too bad they might not be able to. Oil leaking into the combustion chamber can also cause it, especially down worn Valve Stems, and at 17 years old your engine is likely to be well worn.

The next time your fuel is low put some of the higher octane fuel in to see if that helps and don't labour the engine at low revs, it is the worse thing you can do for any engine and drivetrain and if it is not Pinking then something else has probably suffered premature damage as a result.

Edit - The bad word police have blanked out one of the words🙂. The blanked word was the opposite of Advance.

 

what about this

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/stp-petrol-fuel-injector-cleaner-200ml-549771791

or

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/stp-petrol-treatment-200ml-549774451

 

ive just used the injector cleaner again at it made a noticable difference in my zetec s 1.6 with acceleration...i use it like once a year

3 minutes ago, OvEr_KiLL said:

what about this

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/stp-petrol-fuel-injector-cleaner-200ml-549771791

or

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/stp-petrol-treatment-200ml-549774451

 

ive just used the injector cleaner again at it made a noticable difference in my zetec s 1.6 with acceleration...i use it like once a year

Ford keep trying to get me to pay extra at service time for additives, I have never bothered myself but lots of other people swear by them.

In an older engine that may be a bit dirty now they are probably a good Idea.