I was helping someone jump their car this evening when I noticed a "clicking" coming from my engine during idle. I've never noticed the noise before and it has me somewhat worried. After I left work, I rechecked for the sound upon arriving home and it was still present.

Some info:

- The sound is completely unnoticeable when the hood is shut.

- Since purchasing the car in July, I've never gone over 5,000 miles between oil changes (Although I've driven about 12,000 total for work). I also always put in Mobil 1 Full Synthetic.

- I never put anything less than 91 octane fuel into the car.

If you could give me your opinions I would really appreciate it.

Here's the link:
http://youtu.be/BysMvO2gKY8

 

Honestly just sounds like valve train chatter. It is a bit noisier than what I've heard, however.

 

I know very little about engines, so this may be completely off, but bare with me.

My concern is that it's the drive belt, because the last time I took it into the dealer for an oil change they marked it as "needs to be addressed soon" on their little "inspection sheet".

With that being said, this noise is located in the back left portion of the engine. Isn't the drive belt in the front behind the radiator?

 

Sounds like the valve train just like connoisseurr said. The drive belt is the belt in front of the engine correct. That would be more of a whining noise when they start to lose tension and wear out. Sometimes they show no signs of wear new style belts are EPDM which don't crack leaving it hard to tell the status of the belt..

Valves just sound a bit loud. have you checked the oil to see where the level is at? Some vehicles are pretty sensitive to oil level and may make a louder chattering when low.

 

My car ticks slightly when it's cold outside. It seems to do it less with fresh oil. Apparently using the OEM oil is supposed to help, but I'm not paying over $8 a quart.

 

I went out and checked it a few hours ago. The oil level seems to be fine and I'm still over 1,000 miles from my next schedule change.

I started the car after I was done checking and the noise doesn't seem to be occuring. It's about 4 - 5 degrees warmer today than it was yesterday, so maybe its a cold weather thing.

If this is just valve rocking, is it anything to worry about?

 

Possible valve tap. If you've ever owned a Honda you wouod recognize the sound immediately. Could be a something with the valve train or something with your belts but highly unlikely.

 

This sounds normal to me. It's the valve train as mentioned above. Mine is slightly less chattery than yours. However, I'm using Mobil 1 oil which tends to creates more noise than factory fill.

 

I hear it all the time at cold start and you actually can hear better when you sit inside the car. It's prolly the valve chatter.. but once the engine is warmed up it goes away as you accelerate. I plan to replace it soon.

 

I've always let my car warm up for 4-5 minutes before taking off. Now you can use the 0W30 oil which helps with cold starts and colder weather and it wont damage the engine. It'll allow a faster flow of oil when first started to get all oil galleys and passages lubricated as fast as possible and is also supposed to help with gas mileage as well. I'm running Mobil 1 extended performance in my G and only notice a "Ticking" when it's cold and after I let the car warm up it goes away. My car has 79K on it and is a 09.

 

I can say I've noticed more chatter from my engine when using Mobil 1. I have since switched to Pennzoil Platinum pure plus and its significantly more quite. Only chatters during a cold start.

 

Try Redline synthetic oil. I used to get the valve ticking noise with other oils.

 

Did you ever figure out what the noise was? I have a similar noise that I just noticed. When the AC is on you can't hear it and seems like it only happens after the car warms up after driving for a little bit.

 

I have the exact same issue, ticking noise from the valve train (I'm assuming) only at warmed up idling. I have brought it to a dealer, but they told me it's normal.


Based on some threads in here the ester based oil should reduce the noise, but it's pricy. Now I'm just trying hard to live with the noise as it seems like a common noise for engine with variable valve timing. One of my friends who bought Lexus IS250 last year have had this noise as well. I may try to use the ester based oil next time to see if it actually helps.

 

This sound like the same noise I got when i come to a stop or slow roll over a speed pump. ..You guys here this with Sport model Gs, while using M or DS mode?