Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting my engine is ticking like mad

when i start my car, theres a loud ticking noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. im thinking its the timing belt and i checked it before and it looks fine and its not loose. its a spuratic sort of tick not constant so im thinking its not a lifter. ive got the zetec. anyone know whats going on

Sounds like the timing belt. The belt can look good, and still make a noise, especially when the engine is cold. If it is the timing belt, it will probably quieten down after a few minutes, and not make the noise again until the next time you cold start the engine. When the noise occurs, place your hand on the timing belt cover, and see if you can feel the belt hitting the cover.
I believe various pulleys on the passenger end of the engine can also make a ticking noise, but I've never had this problem myself.

Yup, most likely timing belt. Every once in awhile, I will hear a lifter not get oil right away and make a loud ticking sound, but it goes away pretty quick.
When the adjuster doesnt have oil at startup, it will let the timing belt slap against the cover, making the sound you describe. A few washers between the cover and the block can get rid of the sound.
Its not an uncommon thing, even my sisters Ranger has the ticking sound at startup, for the same reason.

i hope my engine doesn't tick, i can't here it if it does over the squealling that will be fixed when UPS decides to start working this week. (i thought packages should move atleast a little this week, but nothing since last saturday, it shouldn't take 11+ days to ship something).