So I have a ticking noise, which really sounds more like a swarm of locusts or something to that effect. It randomly starts and goes away. I can't determine if the intensity is speed variable because if I speed up or take my foot off the gas it stops.

I first thought it was my valvetrain and then I changed my oil and it didn't stop. I also figured if I really had valve chatter I would hear it way more often if not all the time. It even sounds like it could be coming from the ABS unit but since it's intermittent I have no way of catching it. I have not heard it happen at idle.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Bob

 

Around what rev range does it usually happen? and is the car under load like climbing a hill or accelerating?

 

I hear it the most when cruising at steady speed around town (30-40mph) since those are my normal daily driving speeds on the roads I travel most. I haven't heard it at highway speeds (50 and above) but it's also not very loud so it's possible it's happening and I just miss it. It goes away under load or acceleration or whenever I take my foot off the gas.

 

Hmmm that kinda sounds like what I had except mine was a rattle which came from my timing chains.

 

Yeah I discredited the chains since I would expect a constant rattle/chatter at certain speeds. The car drives perfectly fine it's just got me wondering if this is a sign of impending doom.

 

Actually I read on the forums the the timing chain rattle will come and go depending on oil pressure. But how many miles? If it sounds like its coming from you abs it could actually be your cats when they star going bad they make an intermittent sort of high pitch rattling sound. Try have some one rev the motor in park and stick your ear under the car. And grab a long screw driver and check the motor. The only way to find it will be recreate the scenario (while parked if possible) where it makes the noise and hunt it down

 

hey westside, yeah I think that's what i'll have to do. I suppose it could be the cats but the noise is high up towards the top of the engine so i'll pin it as "less likely" but possible. When I was thinking coming from the abs I meant the booster area in the engine bay since that's where the noise is basically situated but now I see why you suggested the cats. If chain rattle comes and goes then maybe that's exactly my issue. Is the chain on the firewall or radiator end on our cars? The sound definitely seems to be against the firewall but obviously I could be wrong.

 

Your timing chain is in the front of the engine, but I kind of doubt that's the source of your problem. Since it seems to be occurring at a particular rpm while cruising (so I'm guessing 2K-3K rpm range), and goes away under load (accelerating) as well as idling (decelerating), have you tried just leaving the car in Park and having someone rev the engine slowly through that rpm range while you listen for the noise from the outside with the hood up?

 

I can be wrong but your problem sound like what happened to mine. The noise happened when I accelerate. I thought its coming from the timing chain cover. I heard the noise from cold start and accelerate so i took my car to the dealer since i have extended warranty and the technician is pretty good and told me right away its my "idle pulley or ac pulley." so just my cent

 

I get a noise like that after I come down from speed and have very light throttle at like 25mph, like when I am approaching my house after work. I let off the gas and it goes away. Has done this for a long time. At this point it is endearing.

 

can you get an audio/video rec of it?

 

Yeah I haven't done this yet because i'm usually with a lack of helpers to do so but i'm going to round up my brother this weekend and have him help me out with it.

Well those are good things to check i'll have to take a look and pull the belt off so I can check for rubbing or looseness. Good suggestion!

Like an old friend there to say hello.....

I could potentially set up a recorder and just let it run whenever i'm in the car. It comes and goes so I obviously wouldn't be able to catch it otherwise. If I do i'll post a sound clip for you guys.

Thanks for the suggestions!