ticking noise coming from under the hood

[00BlackBird00]

Hey guys I just noticed that my car is making a very loud ticking noise when it first starts up. It sounds like its coming from something on the fan belt (one of those pulleys) but I'm not sure. Also as the rpms go up the ticking gets faster. Does anybody know what I should check to get to the problem or have any ideas as to what it might be. I have a 2001 bird with 55k on it...Thanks

[ThatsMeGC]

When was your last oil change? Have you checked your oil level?

I had a tick that started a couple days ago I checked and I was about a quart low and I needed an oil change anyway. Today I went and got one by the time I got home it was gone.

[shenanigans]

If you suspect a pulley... when your car is cold. Take the belt off turn it on, and stick your head under the hood and see if you hear the tick still.

[Fredless]

If you say its only when its cold its probably lifters...although they make more of a clacking noise. This is normal, unless its extreme and lasts even when the car has heated up. As he said, make sure you have enough oil.

If its all the time, its most likely an exhaust leak.

[00BlackBird00]

yea u guys are right...I didnt think about checking the oil level and when I did i was over 2 quarts low lol so thats def wat it is. Thanks for all the help and while im on the topic I might as well ask, why do you guys think im burning oil like this? Do all cars do that?

[TFord]

my camaro has a clicking that sounds like Urs also. when I tap tha gas tha tha tickin speeds up and then stops. if U got 100,000K plus on tha car U might wanna go to 10W-40 instead of 30. beacause the tolerances are lower

[ August 30, 2005, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: TFord ]

[slow6]

make sure ur radiator has enough water

do you hear the sounds coming from the exhaust?

[00BlackBird00]

nope it all went away when i got my oil changed so i think it was cuz it was almost 2 quarts low...it def sounded like it was comin from the engine though and yea the coolant is fine