Last week I noticed a new noise from the engine :( Today while I was tinkering I had a good listen.

It sounds like "tik-a-tik-a........." and is related to engine speed. At idle it goes "tik-a" 2 times per second.

Go on, say it to yourself and you'll get what I mean.

It seems to be coming from behind the block, around where the turbo is.

Any ideas?

there's a mini diesel engine stuck behind there?

the best thing you can do phil is get a pair of ear muffs and just enjoy your car

Most likely the exhaust manifold gasket is leaking I expect.

This morning I had the radio on rather than a CD - you can hear the noise through the speakers as interference :( Sounds just like it does under the bonnet.

This morning I had the radio on rather than a CD - you can hear the noise through the speakers as interference :( Sounds just like it does under the bonnet.

That would suggest something electrical if it interferes with your radio reception? Dodgy relay somewhere??? Maybe it's the death rattle of your coil packs??? :(

Does it sound like a faint loose tappet noise? Cos i hear the same thing when on idle. It alarmed me first but then i dismissed it as just a charachteristic sound as my car is brand new and a loose tappet is improbable so early on.

Not tappets, too far back to be those and its not a tappety noise.

Not coil packs either - they're all new.