I've always warmed up my car before I go anywhere, or atleast keep it under 3,000rpm if I'm in a hurry. However, lately since it's been a lot cooler here in Texas, as soon as my engine is at/around operating temperature, I hear a constant ticking on the timing belt side of the bay. You can hear it pretty well if you bend over near the front right wheel, or obviously, open the hood. I am due for a timing belt and water pump change and have the parts to do it, but have just been too busy lately. Also, my timing belt rubs against the timing belt cover and creates a rather loud squealing noise.

Any idea what could be causing this ticking noise?

EVAP canister ticks sometimes, mine does it when cold, always has, probably always will.

Originally posted by 95_ESi_Person
EVAP canister ticks sometimes, mine does it when cold, always has, probably always will.

It starts to tick when it's at operating tempature or pretty close to it. As soon as I start my car in the morning or when it's been sitting in the cold, there is no ticking.

does it only tick at idle or does it go away when you rev it up?

As far as I know, it's only noticeable at idle. I can't exactly hear it when I raise the RPM, because the rest of the car is too loud. x(

does it come from behind the passenger side headlight?

evap usually starts ticking around operating temperature, well mine does at least.

Yes, it does come from behind the passenger side headlight if I'm not mistaken. Any possible way to cure this ticking noise from the EVAP canister without a CEL light?

lifter tick perhaps?

Originally posted by saikou
Yes, it does come from behind the passenger side headlight if I'm not mistaken. Any possible way to cure this ticking noise from the EVAP canister without a CEL light?

I'm not sure about that one.

Turn up your stereo?

Personally, I just ignore it. I have too many other knocking/ticking/scraping sounds to deal with.

Sometimes the camshaft gears can grind slightly on the timing belt cover. When my car was completely stock it used to do that until I shimmed the cover a bit.

Originally posted by ajcfalcon
lifter tick perhaps?

This isn't lifter tick, as I've had lifter tick since I've owned the car. This is different... I probably should have said that in my first post, sorry.

Originally posted by ner947
Sometimes the camshaft gears can grind slightly on the timing belt cover. When my car was completely stock it used to do that until I shimmed the cover a bit.

I'll definitely need to change my timing belt sometime this weekend and check out the camshaft gears. Thanks.

Have you ever let the oil run low?

Originally posted by rs-pssst
Have you ever let the oil run low?

I use Mobile 1 and I usually check all my fluids atleast twice a week; I drive alot. Sometimes the car will be low right before I change the oil, however, my car does not burn oil like mad crazy. How would running the oil low cause loud ticking near my front right wheel well?

I think he's refering to the interesting sound our cars can get when they spin a rod bearing (generally due to oil starvation). But that's not the kind of noise you can really miss... it sounds like you put a marble in a paint can and put it on one of those shaking/mixing machines. I wouldn't describe it as a "ticking".. more like a "Oh dear Jesus, what is -that-?".