I have a continual ticking noise when the car is running that seems to be coming from the front cylinder bank.

I am familiar with the valve ticking sound that you get when the engine is cooling or sometimes even running.

This sounds very similar but is rpm sensitive - that is, as rpms increase so does the ticking until it is a continuous sound. It does it whether under load or not - I tested it by pulling on the throttle cable under the hood.

By the way, no codes.

Sticking valves, lifters (don't think we even have them right?), injectors??

Because it is loud enough that I can hear it driving down the road - I doubt it is the injectors.

I'm going to pull the front plugs and take a look to make sure nothing is broken. Would a compression test tell me anything? I've always used super and synthetic.

 

Sounds like a valve may be sticking or something. Doesn't sound like injectors if it can be heard while driving down the road. Is the engine running funny? A compression test would be the best place to start, at least you eliminate or blame the valves as the problem and go from there. I'd do the test on all cylinders just to be thorough. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

There is a number of things that it could be, have you changed the oil since you have heard this ticking noise?

 

Having it changed today to see what happens.

 

If you are taking it somewhere to get the oil changed ask to see a sample of the old oil, just have them run their finger threw the oil as it drains, or something like that, to see if there are any metalic particals in the oil.