04 GT
Recently done:
Plugs / wires / coils
catback / intake
both computer resets

There's been a lot of helpful suggestions on here so far and recently you guys helped me fixed my idle issues / clean sensors properly / reset the cars memory, etc. As I was doing the latter, with my hood open and letting the car warm up, I noticed that about after 5-10min of idling there was a ticking noise.

I was casually cleaning my engine bay as the I let the car relearn the appropriate fuel trims ,etc., and started to wipe down the top of my oil tube, where the cap is. I think my coincidence, the second I touched it I began hearing a ticking noise from that exact area.

As you will see in the video, the ticking noise seems like it's originating from right around where the oil cap is. It's hard to tell whether it's underneath or behind - It may be coming from behind the throttle body in the intake manifold area.

Anyway I've never noticed this noise before because you can't hear it with the hood closed, and it doesn't happen immediately / all the time. The noise only appeared once the car is warmed up (it's cold out too) and happens in intervals. I will hear it for about 2min, then it was stop for about 15sec, then come back, like clockwork.

I've read about the SSV, but the car seems to be driving just fine. Is this normal? Fuel injectors perhaps?

 

I haven't listened to the video, but double check to make sure all the plug wires are connected properly. Did you hear an audible "click" when you installed them?

 

Yea I just checked my connections and they were fine. It's weird because the noise doesn't get louder when I rev, and I don't have hesitations / other issues or a CEL. I did look under my oil cap and notice the milky / foamy white condensation on my oil was worse than usual. I recently decided to run 10-w30 for more protection and the oil is only a few weeks old. I work semi locally so I don't do long drives. There was a decent amount of this white crap on the cap and dipstick, it was kind of gross and worrisome. Maybe I should just take it on a long drive tonight and get on it a few times.

 

Sounds like it may be the purge solenoid....it's basically in that area. Think that would be normal

 

I think you're right. I just did some research on it's location and nature and it is definitely exactly where I'm hearing the tick. I also figured the tick was too systematic to be anything like plugs or SSV. Turns out a few people replaced their purge valves / solenoids, and one said this:

Sorry to rehash an old thread.

After living with this problem for a couple years, I finally manned up and replaced the purge solenoid valve.

Checking my existing purge solenoid valve for resistance between the terminals yielded ~350Kohm, whereas a new one was only ~25ohm. Powering the terminals on the new one causes it to make a clicking sound. The old one didn't make any click. I'm guessing the internal coil winding was fried.

A few others mentioned evap / purge clicking. I'm hoping / almost positive this is it now, and at least I have the peace of mind. Thanks!