I am hearing a ticking sound on idle... but it is not all the time! I do not hear anything under the hood. As soon as I increase rpm slightly it goes away. I only hear it on idle (at a stop light) ... have never heard it under load. I have 60K miles on... is this a valve adjustment issue?

 

Purge solenoid valve?

 

So what does this solenoid valve do? and is it a big deal to fix?

 

From what I remember, it is a normal thing that is no cause for concern. I have had the same ticking sound since I bought the car in 2003. It is more noticeable in the winter when it is really cold out. I think some people have replaced theirs, but it won't fuck up your car if you don't.

Do a search for more information.

 

Thanks! I appreciate the advice... reassuring to know that it won't mess up anything... and now that you mention it, I am hearing it a lot more in colder weather.

 

I heard it when I bought mine last december, but after an oil change and service at the dealership, I heard it no more. Now it's Dec again and I hear it again. Time for a service.

 

Yeah it's the purge valve. It shouldn't be ticking. It should be silent. I had mine repalced under warranty. It's an emmsions thing sends excess gas fumes back into the engine to burn off. If it's not working you will see bad gas milage. You can live with it. Some choose not to.

 

I think i am having this same problem, after searching i couldn't figure out one thing though. Is the ticking coming more from the driver's side of the car (or even the passanger but i'm not on that side much) ? I really don't hear it under the hood so i think this might be the problem, anyone know how much to fix the psv?

 

It's a $40 part. Easy to replace. It's right on the firewall on the drivers side.

 

Bad gas mileage only when it is ticking or all the time?

I currently am getting about 25 mpg with 75% highway and 25% city driving. Should it be better?

 

If it's bad. Ticking doesn't mean it's bad just it's noisy. It's not supposed to tick, but it will still work fine.

 

I thought my clicking was just the solenoid too... but today I took her in for an oil change and the service guy said "that clicking isn't right" so now I'm getting a valve job under warranty.
_larry