Hey guys, complete and utter newbie here!

I have an '03 octy 130PD with ~120k miles on the clock.

At idle speeds, there is a random ticking from the engine. Happens whether hot or cold, and doesnt appear to be in any pattern. Its not the aircon.

Any ideas? I know its hard to say without seeing/hearing it but worth a try. I tried the 'engine noise - whats normal/whats not sticky but the link has expired.

Cheers!

Is it from the engine or louder when in the car and appears to behind the glove box? If the latter then maybe the recirc flap could be the issue. Putting the car in recirc mode can stop it (and prove if this is the problem or not).

Definately engine, sounds as if its on a belt and something just catches as it turns over. Everything runs fine, pulls well etc. Belts were changed around 10k miles ago.

Aux belt tensioner maybe? Try placing your finger on the end of the black damper rod and see if that stops it. (don't stick your finger into the belt though..... it might hurt )

Is it the vac box in front of coolant bottle that is ticking??That is normal........And is loud and annoying!!

Carbon canister often makes a ticking noise

Carbon canister often makes a ticking noise

It shouldn't tick if the engine is cold.

It shouldn't tick if the engine is cold.

And definately not on a diesel.

Doh totally didnt read it thought it was a 1.8t

Alternator pulley on its way maybe?

And definately not on a diesel.

Tis just what I was thinking!

Alternator pulley on its way maybe?

Not really sure if that would make a ticking noise? I would more expect to hear the traditional slipping belt noise (but it much reduced volume to that of a say a chav'd up Savo ). Mine just gave the very slightest hint of of slipping belt for a month or so, then it turned into an evil groan and broke off 60 miles later

Edited 19 April, 201115 yr by mbames

Tis just what I was thinking!

Not really sure if that would make a ticking noise? I would more expect to hear the traditional slipping belt noise (but it much reduced volume to that of a say a chav'd up Savo ). Mine just gave the very slightest hint of of slipping belt for a month or so, then it turned into an evil groan and broke off 60 miles later

On this note, on full lock some mornings (generally) there is some belt slip on idle which seems to go away with a little throttle. would these two noises suggest a faulty/loose tensioner?

My friends Galaxy had a knackered alternator pulley which stuffed the tensioner and it made a funny noise, not a normal belt slipping noise and the tensioner bounced around all over the place. This is the same engine as yours so should be pretty obvious if the tensioner is bust, although I'm not sure if the alternator is in the same place. Is the power steering pump at the top of the engine with the alternator below?

Also if you revved the engine and then let the revs drop quickly the noise was worse and the tensioner moved more, presumably because of the bust pulley.

It was noticeably worse when the engine was cold, maybe because of the extra load on the alternator.