Cruiser engine makes ticking sound

[Markwin]

My 2005 PT Cruiser has been making a ticking sound under the hood at startup. But only when it rains! The sound slowly disappears after 5 minutes of driving. When it's dry and/or sunny I don't have any problems at all. Other than that it runs fine...
Do I have a bad spark plug/ wire? Does anybody know?
Thanks

[CREWZIN]

I was waiting to see if one of the mechanics on the forum would help you but so far nobody has showed up.

Our engines are DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam). Most noise like your describing is from the lifters, but our engines don't have any.

The only other thing I can think of that "ticks" are the injectors. Why the noise would go away and why rain would affect the sound, I don't know.

If you do a Google search on "fuel injector ticking" you see hundreds of owners of all kinds of cars asking about it.

[Markwin]

Thanks! I'll do that!

[b0b88]

The ticking noise could also be a rocker arm... probably not an issue.. just an annoying ego killing sound haha

[NIL8r]

Markwin,

I'm sorry, but glad too, to hear that someone else is having the same issue with their PT.

I have a 2005 PT Limited Turbo and I'm having the same problem that you mentioned. When it rains or is damp out, I have the same ticking noise. Even if I haven't driven since the day before.

A friend at work (part-time mechanic) told me that it could be a ignition issue. He advised taking a spray bottle and misting the engine in the dark. He claims that a bad wire, or other ignition problem, may be visible. The dampness causes an arc point. Although, I am not noticing any hesitation and I just changed plugs and wires with no change to the noise. I haven't tried his suggestion yet.

Recently, this has changed to sound more like a squeak. Once I drive it a bit, it disappears. I'm starting to suspect a belt or bears on a pulley.

Anyone having this problem also? Know of a fix?

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome.
Mine "ticks" also, always has since new, and I have 77,000+ miles with no problems. I believe it's the injectors. I don't think valves, as I've used synthetic oil since new.

[05turboGT]

Hi, haven't posted in a while but when I saw this I decided I should mention that my 2005 GT also makes the same ticking noise under the same conditions (raining or cold out) but then goes away after some driving. To me it seems kind of weird that all the PT's mentioned in this thread with this problem are 2005's

[garyerrol]

The first thing that came to mind for me is something to do with the ignition. Only happens when it rains or is damp, goes away after a few minutes, as after the engine warms up and the moisture evaporates away and it doesn't happen on warm, sunny days.

Does your car feel like it has a miss while your hearing the ticking?

[NIL8r]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

"I am not noticing any hesitation and I just changed plugs and wires with no change to the noise."

I'm going to have the injectors inspected/cleaned. I'll update this post once that is done.

It may be a while unless my mechanic friend can help me out. It’s been really slow at work (tool maker for the auto industry). I have to feed the family before I can think about spending $$$ trying to fix “a tick”.

[ChefTank]

Lucas oil treatment = no tick, mine was a slight valve tap (even w/ synthetic). The lucas stuff is like honey

My 2005 is tick free for 8months