Ok, so I've got a distinctive click on every engine rotation (it seems). Not on every cylinder because that would make a hum.. just on one cylinder I'm thinking. The engine was dangerously low on oil recently, due to a dumbass that doesn't know how to tighten an oil plug. I'm thinking maybe a hydraulic lifter died? Can anyone else confirm this, suggest a test, or tell me what else it might be?

On a sidenote: I'm not equipped or willing to open up this engine. What's it gonna cost to have this valve lifter fixed/replaced? (assuming that's the culprit)

As always... thanks a lot for your help.

whoops.. just realized I said nothing about the engine I have. It's a 98.5 contour sport with a Duratec (v6)

Fuel injectors will make ticking sounds too.

ok.. so it may be a fuel injector as well then... for some reason that sounds less daunting. Anyway, thanks for the reply. what kind of volume are we talking about for a fuel injector as opposed to a valve not falling all the way?

Originally posted by npurdin:

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... what kind of volume are we talking about for a fuel injector as opposed to a valve not falling all the way?

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Not sure what this means.

Another thing which might give a ticking sound could be a leaky exhaust (manifold or further down along the pipe).