new ticking sound in engine..

[Firebird8798]

there is a new ticking sound in my engine when it is idling...what could be causing this and how can i go about fixing it if it is bad..?

thanks..

[TraceZ]

Has your oil pressure at idle changed recently?

[Firebird8798]

yea actually the oil pressure gauge is a little lower then it used to be at idle....so what does that mean it could be?

thanks..

[DJ Taso]

You could have a vacum leak. My car was ticking at idle and when ever I gave it gas.

[seannz28]

ticking because of a vacuum leak? I thought that just gave you a funky idle Is it a really fast tick, or slower? (keeping in mind that the crank rotates twice for every rotation of the cam. If it was something like 4 ticks per second (approx) I would say it was a lifter or something on the valve train.

if it is a vacuum leak, the plyer test is the easiest way of finding it. That would be the first place to start, if that isn't it, change the oil and run an engine cleaner through it (and I am not talking about that $10 stuff they sell at NAPA, get something better than that). I have seen that free up stuck engine parts and stop knocking.

[Joe 1320]

Ticking could also be a loose spark plug and or wire, leaking exhaust manifold, or actual mechanical interferance.

[Firebird8798]

the ticking about 4 ticks per second and is fast so what should i start to find the prolblem..

thanks

[Firebird8798]

any ideas??

[WSmakaveli2003]

ticking noise

usually when it only ticks at idle means you need a valve adjustment .

[Firebird8798]

how much would that cost for a valve adjustment if i get it done professionally??