Ticking Noise

4Chickens · 10 November 2009 at 9:52AM

I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander (Automatic) and sometimes I can hear quite a high pitched ticking noise coming from the engine when it is in idle. It happened when I left work yesterday and again when I left for work this morning but it doesn't happen every day (I think). You can only just hear it from the inside of the car and when I am driving along you can't hear it at all. What could it be? Should I be worried (I'm skint)?

Premier_2 · 10 November 2009 at 10:14AM

Rapid ticking? Tappets probably.

Rolandtheroadie · 10 November 2009 at 10:27AM

A slight blow at the manifold can also show its self as a "ticking" sound. As can a leaking injector seal. There would normally be excessive exhaust fumes with either of these (either in the car or in the engine bay).

Ezmondino · 10 November 2009 at 12:25PM

It could be no problem at all, might simply be the fuel injectors (I've had Hondas where you can hear the injectors at idle). Without hearing the noise though it's hard to say.

Just_Incredible · 10 November 2009 at 1:34PM

The sound will be your timing chain

if you start your car from cold you won't hear it, but as soon as your vehicle warms up the tensioner will become loose and allow the ticking to comence

cyclonebri1 · 10 November 2009 at 4:30PM

:rotfl:It could be the clock, tick tock,tick tock:rotfl:

No

, ok I'm gone.

Seriously I can't think of anything serious that would give this issue. It is out of waranty so, wait for it to get better,:money:, wait for it to get worse:mad:, or live with it, or flog it

.

Case of risk management methinks;)

Edited to add, sounds like Edmond says, fuel injectors, can be worryingly noisy on a very otherwise quite engine

Chippy_Minton_2 · 10 November 2009 at 6:15PM

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

:rotfl:It could be the clock, tick tock,tick tock:rotfl:

OP said it was a Mitsubishi not a Rolls Royce.

cyclonebri1 · 11 November 2009 at 8:51AM

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

OP said it was a Mitsubishi not a Rolls Royce.

I think even Rolls Royce have gone digital now;)

jaydeeuk1 · 11 November 2009 at 9:29AM

Have you checked your oil level recently?

almillar · 11 November 2009 at 12:46PM

In stark contrast to the earlier timing chain post, I'm gonna say that if it's a ticking that happens for the first few seconds after starting from cold, that'll be the timing chain, as it takes a couple of rotations of it to go through the oil in the sump before it gets covered in oil and becomes lubiricated. I definately got this noise in a 97 Almera and 2002 Celica.