When i start my car (cold), it makes a ticking noise for 1 second. then stops. It idles up at around 1500 rpm for about 10 seconds, then comes down to 950-1000 rpm then starts to make that ticking noise when idling. It goes away when i rev it up to 1500 again. Also, when i drive and rev between shifts up to 2500-3000 it make a fast ticking noise which may still be there with even higher RPM's, but not noticable due to wind and engine noise.

When i am done driving the car, it idles (Warm) at 950-1000 and is not making that ticking noise anymore, but is still there when driving at 3000 rpm.

the oil pressure never gets to half on the gauge, no matter warm or cold, or what RPM i get up to. It might only ever reach 3.5/8ths. At cruising speed it is 1/4 on the gauge, even a bit under, which seems low. Oil is right up on the dipstick.

What could this ticking noise be? Is that too low for the oil pressure?

My car has 135,000 miles on it, and i have had to replace the cam and lifters because a couple sticking lifters had worn some lobes. I hope this is not that again.... $$$$$$. This is my first post........

 

My car made a ticking sound when it was cold. It turned out to be an exhaust leak where the manifold met the block. If you can, check those bolts for tightness-mine were quite loose. Took me five minutes to do, and it fixed my problem.

If it is the exhaust, it will tick in time with the exhaust pulses and probably goes away at higher speeds. Just a thought...

 

what about the oil pressure, is that low?

 

I use 10W-30 synthetic engine oil, if that matters..... should i be using 5W-30?

 

another possibility could be blown header gasket..sounds very similar, speeds up with RPM. if you're running the stock manifolds it probably isn't your problem though...

 

I agree with these guys, check your header bolts for tightness unless they are stock and if they are stock replace the gaskets. Let us know