Ticking noise ?

**thegipper** · 06-01-2012

Hey

Sometimes when I start up my car, I get a ticking noise from under the hood. Its been doing it for about a month now. It doesn't always do it, maybe 35% of the time.

So the other day I popped the hood when I heard the noise. Its always the loudest right at start up and gets quieter as it warms up. Usually within minutes. It eventually pretty much goes away.

It sounds like its coming from the front of the engine. When I take the oil cap off, it sounds pretty clear that its coming from in there. I installed ER rockers about 10 months ago, and never had any issues.

Does this sound like a bad rocker, loose rocker bolt? or could it just be a sticky lifter? Its not loud per say but its noticeable.

I'm leaning towards a sticky lifter because it gets much quieter as it warms up. And it doesn't always do it either. I'm guessing if it was a rocker or rocker bolt it would be constant.

Should I just run some seafoam in the oil before I change the oil next?

Thanks for your help !