I was wondering what this "ticking" sound coming from under the hood, it is coming from the passenger side(sounds like its coming from, or close to, the alternator). It appears after the engine has been running for a minute or two and is only noticeable when the car is idling, however, if i raise the rpm's just a touch it goes away, and you cant hear it when your driving?

 

What was the last thing you did to your car when it started? It could be the alternator pulley going out, take off the belt and spin it by hand to tell. Should be silent.

 

Rocker arm/valve train?????? Bearing in alternator????? Fan on alternator rubbing????? Exhaust leak????

 

Either a rocker arm coming loose or an exhaust leak. Put a long piece of pvc pipe up to it and listen on the other end, you can tell if its a rocker arm.

 

or a loose spark plug/wire. thats happened to me

 

Well it does have a slight exhaust leak that I do know of, but it doesnt really sound like that, it sounds really sharp like something is actually hitting something else creating the sound, also theres not really a constant rythem to the ticking...if that helps.
-Green96Z"What was the last thing you did to your car when it started?" What do you mean?

 

Did you install something? Driving it hard? Or did you just notice it all of a sudden?

 

I have a tick coming from the driver side valve cover. goes away at higher rpm. im guessing a loose rocker or somthing, drives me crazy. it goes aways at high rpms because the rising oil pressure covers the tick, at idle it doesnt. just havent gotten around to fixing it with some new 1.6 rockers.

 

no, nothing installed(except for new batt. and starter), i noticed it a while ago but never really thought anyhting of it, it kind of comes and goes, i mean maybe its just me but sometimes it doesnt even appear to be there, or start "ticking". *However, within the last few weeks this has become the least of my problems with the ol' Z, though the problems seem unrelated ill post those soon and hopefully you guys can help!* Thanks