Hi, 2006 TL, 6-speed, 115K miles on the clock, timing belt done around 105K miles as well as water pump and serpentine belt. DIY'ed this one, fairly straight forward, just takes time/patience.

Recently, I Noticed a tick, tick, tick sound coming from the engine compartment. It doesn't sound like a valve "tick", almost sounds like an arcing type tick.

It definitely varies with engine RPMs, but it isn't perfectly consistent, i.e., sometimes it skips, sometimes it goes away.

I haven't looked at it in the dark to see if there is any arcing going on. I have never replaced the spark plug wires on it.

I have attached a recording of it taken with my phone very close to the top of the engine where the PS pump is.

Ideas??

 

proximity to the PS pump, varies with RPMs, and your describing it as an arcing tick makes me want to think it may be something up with your alternator?

 

Undo the accessory belt and see if it still does it.

 

Did you touch your plugs? If so check the front center plug.

 

Yes, I did them around 100,000 miles.
BTW, why the front, center plug?

Also - no loss in power at all, i would think, if something were arc'ing with the ignition system, I'd have power loss, rough running, shitty mileage, etc. I have none of these.

 

And, if it goes away, it would suggest an accessory is causing it rather than the engine itself?

 

The front center plug comes loose. Common problem for us and makes a ticking sound. No loss of power. Just check it, takes few minutes.