Hello all,

Hopefully someone can help me out on this one - I have tried using the search function and found a few results related to mine, but no answers on a fix or even root cause.

I did the 105k service back in July of last year on my 05 TL, and ever since then I have noticed a ticking noise that varies with engine RPM. It may have existed beforehand, and I wasnt aware of it. I have had a valve adjustment done since the 105k service, so I am doubtful it is related to valve clearance, I have pulled the serpentine belt to make sure it isn't related to any of the accessories, and just this weekend I pulled the TB covers back off to check for sanity that the cam gears lineup with the timing marks (they do). Pctures of the timing marks attached

TL;DR
My engine sounds like this - https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...-click-860485/
Does anyone know what is causing it?

TB Marks:

 

Stethoscope, Dr. Auto.

 

Check for a loose plug.

 

Was the timing belt tensioner replaced when you had your 105k service accomplished?

Bad or bouncy tensioners can give off a noise similar to a loud valve tick. Visit link:

 

This.

 

Plugs are all tight @13ftlbs. Retorqued this past weekend for good measure.
The number 2 cylinder is leaking oil into the coil well a decent amount, and the number 4 cylinder had a touch of oil too; but I have the feeling that is from the valve adjustment. Willing to bet they didnt pull the sway bar to get the valve cover out and butchered the tube seals either pulling the cover out or putting it back in. Going to have that fixed this weekend hopefully.

The tensioner was changed when I did the TB, but it could be a defect. I didn't pull the crank TB cover off this past time to see if it was bouncing. I will check with a stethoscope as best as possible for chatter. Going to get my hands on a borescope from work as well too hopefully. I will post back here once I have checked on everything.

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

Just did the 105K service about a month ago and fixed a very similar noise. It was a leaky TB tensioner in my case. Car ran perfectly, just had a RPM dependent knock coming from belt area.