Ticking noise occurs from the time the car is started, until its stopped. Ticking noise matches engine - increases when I press gas, decreases when I let off. I've read other threads where people claim this goes away after driving for a bit but I can hear it at all times. I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction? Approaching 190k miles.

Link to Youtube:

 

Make another video with the hood open just idling and try to isolate exactly where the noise is coming from.

Sounds like a lifter tick, how's the oil level?

 

Oil level is full. I'll make another video and post it when I have a chance.

 

Found this video with similar year car / similar ticking. He and several others had same issue which was related to loose spark plug / bad coil pack. I'm going to check these first to rule that out. I'll make another video if needed.

 

Yeah I would get a mechanic stethoscope (they're cheap) and poke around on each valve cover in quite a few places to narrow down EXACTLY where the sound is the loudest. Then you can focus your effort there.

Yes loose sparkplugs can make a ticking sound but it's a little different sound usually, but pulling plugs doesn't cost a dime and it's always good to inspect them from time to time so definitely go ahead with that.

Sometimes the spark plug will still be tight but it will actually be broken and moving forward/backwards in the metal part of the shell which DOES cause a ticking sound so don't just assume that because they were tight that they're not damaged, grab the ceramic end where the wire goes over and pull it in/out of the metal socket head to see if there's any play. Usually when this is the case there's a LOT of carbon blow-by right where the ceramic and metal meet.

 

Thanks for the info and quick reply. Hopefully its related to this and can be a simple fix. The car isn't worth enough to tackle any lifter tick issues.