Ticking sound

[Ontjetta97]

2000 SE 2.0L SOHC...recent ticking sound from engine when driving until engine warms up than goes away after a few minutes...increases and decreases as you accelerate/decellerate. Almost sounds like small exhaust leak or lifters...anyone experienced this.

You feedback would be appreciated.

[Mustangman25]

The fact that you said it ticks until you get up to temp would led me to believe that the oil isn't getting any oil, or that it is too thick...what weight oil is in it? It sounds like the valvetrain could be experiencing some loss of oil...

[Ontjetta97]

Originally Posted by Mustangman25

The fact that you said it ticks until you get up to temp would led me to believe that the oil isn't getting any oil, or that it is too thick...what weight oil is in it? It sounds like the valvetrain could be experiencing some loss of oil...

I'm using Quaker State 5w30...I went a little too long without an oil change...I recently changed the oil. Thinking that there might be a build-up of varnish etc...on the weekend I dropped in some CD2 Detergent designed for valvetrains. I'm putting some miles on the car to get this worked thru. It seems to be helping... the noise disappears quicker....

[Ontjetta97]

Found the problem...The pipe (Front right of engine) feeding the EGR valve has a hairline crack at the flange which is where the noise is coming from...which is why when the engine warms, the EGR valve opens causing less back pressure at the leak and the noise going away...temporary fix...muffler cement at the crack.

[kmohr3]

I just now got done replacing that EGR pipe. Exact same symptom as you had - except mine got worse and very obnoxious. Also I was getting headaches while travelling. It also was a major pain-in-the-ass to replace. I had to pull the air tube from the throttle body, air filter box with air flow meter. Then the EGR pipe wouldn't come loose on the EGR valve end. I had to very carefully heat the EGR valve (with a propane/oxygen torch) and use a 27mm open end wrench to get it loose.