Ticking s/c or manifold?

[Psyk]

I'm taking the stethoscope to it tomorrow to track the actual source (when I find where it's hidden), but I've got a ticking noise coming from the engine bay, fairly distinct, but soft, can't hear it unless I pop the hood. Seems to fade when I rev up. I could be wrong but it seems to be coming from the supercharger or intake manifold.
Is it likely to be the coupler I read up on? or is there something else it could be inside the s/c or manifold?

Just got the fuel pump replaced, plugs are fouled with carbon, but I just got the car back a few hours ago and now it's dark and cold outside, so plugs are getting replaced tomorrow. Seems to be... well I'm not really sure what's up, but it's got like no power, I have to put the pedal down pretty hard to get it moving, though that might improve with new plugs, got a new PCV valve, new fuel filter. Oil is still light, clear and good, I changed it not too long ago. I THINK I got the injectors cleaned up (went to the dealers about a possible line leak; a momentary lapse of reason) and they did an emissions something something or other.
I had the tick before the fuel pump was replaced.

Any ideas/advice? Google is not being very forthcoming with answers tonight.

[Black18Ice]

If it sounds like rocks tumbling then it is most likely the coupler. Mine is doing it pretty bad right now. Easy way to check is just to pull the belt off the supercharger then start the car. If it is gone then that's the problem. Unless it is the bearings or something in the supercharger but most likely not.

[Psyk]

What it really sounds like is when kids used to put cards in their bike spokes and ride around like that, I'll try the belt after work and replacing plugs if I still have light.
Thank you for your reply

[TheOtherNick]

Could just be noisy lifters or the injectors.

[Psyk]

Ok, it's been awhile, but here's an update. I think it was the fuel line. :P Replaced the line and it's been making less noise (and not trying to die), I guess it's back to how it was before? been in and out of so many weird beaters in the past little while I can't even remember. But taking the stethoscope to it, it sounded like a jackhammer in my fuel rail before.
Runs and drives fine now, but I may play with my s/c anyway later. Some ticking still but quieter. Prolly normal.

[rolyat]

So the fuel rail was making the noise? cause I thought I had a lifter tapping but I put a screw driver on the rocker pedistal and listened to it and it was really quite. Then I stuck it on the fuel rail and it was making a ticking noise that raised along with engine speed. Is there something mechanical in these fuel rails or is it just from all the injectors?

[silverstreak]

Ticking fuel line? The injectors is probably the noise you are hearing.

[rolyat]

yeah I know it sounds weird, but that seems to be what the OP is saying and thats what Im hearing. I guess it could be the injectors but I didn't think injector tick increased with engine speed.

[Psyk]

Sorry, I'm not very good at explaining myself.
Before, my car was hell of hard to start and kept trying to die on me (I actually drove it some distance with the fuel pump failing miserably) but it was ticking before it died. I can't really explain how it was different, but I knew that wasn't a sound my car always made, but rather something new. I replaced the pump because it was completely gone. Still ticking, and still trying to die at stops, but no problem to start. Replaced fuel feed line (which was pretty clogged up... I'm guessing no fuel filter maintenance from the previous owner was a contributing factor), ticking is quieter but I've noticed it's running rough now (it probably was before, but it's hard to tell when the rpms are bouncing all over the place with inconsistent fuel supply), so either the plugs are fouled or an injector is going. Maybe both.
The louder ticking I heard was maybe due to the injectors in some distress due to inadequate fuel pressure? I'm a complete newb when it comes to mechanics though, so I'm probably wrong.
It's drivable for the moment though, it's not really bad, just not where it should be, so I'm leaving further poking around until I actually feel like pissing around on it after work.

@roylat - probably just the injectors, but you might wanna poke around your fuel rail if you've got a wiggle in your tach, and the ticking is louder than you remember. Maybe? Is yours running rough?

[rolyat]

I am almost certain its the injectors now, people on here weren't kidding when they said the injectors chatter like hell.
No, my car runs really smooth just makes the noise. I know what sound you're talking about though. When I worked at a stealership we used to do fuel induction services, and we disabled the fuel system so the car was running on nothing but the cleaner. When the cleaner ran out the car would start ticking really loud and die. So its just caused by low fuel pressure because the injectors are still cycling but there not enough fuel going through them to basically keep them quiet.