Loud Ticking Noise (please help)

[alnewp]

Hi everyone. I know I'm new here, but I could do with some help. I have recently purchased a low-mileage 2001 2 litre cruiser, with 50, 000 miles on the clock and full service history. Apparantly only used for short runs as a 2nd car, hence the low-mileage. Following the 140 mile drive home, the previously quiet engine has now become quite noisy with a loud ticking sound on startup, going quiter, leaving a top-end cam-type noise. suggestions to date have been drive belt tensioner, small end and a chip on cam lobe. I initially changed the oil and used an additive which hasn't helped, and after talking with someone at Chrysler, they have suggested a flush. I'd appreciate any help, as it's my first PT. Thanks, Al.

[geronimo]

The click may be the spark plugs firing off. I just replaced my plugs and there was a clicking on start-up.

[Hooligan]

Most of the time everyone suggests replacing spark plugs and wires as stock wires are crappy. I have changed both within 500 miles of buying my last two new PT's as there were strange happenings with the engine and the mileage.

[CREWZIN]

Another owner complained about a "ticking" sound also and I told him it was fairly common complaint. If you do a Google search on "pt cruiser ticking sound" there's hundreds of threads that show up with a lot of different answers.

My problem is that it didn't show up till after the long ride home. Makes me suspicious thinking it was there before but the place that sold it to you might have thrown in a can of thick STP or something else that made it go quiet for awhile. Just my "cop" nature to think the worst of people.

It also could have been sitting around for quite awhile and some of the oil holes got gummed up so maybe a flush will help. I've also heard that it's not good to flush a high mileage engine but don't think you fall into that category.

[robsook]

The craziest sugestion-ever (,or not ).
Find some body with a stethoscope, and listen for the noise coming out of your bellbousing.
My 20002 pt has now broken 2 flexplates and ruined 3 transmissions beacuse of this problem ( I do have 150 000 on the ODO).

[alnewp]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Unfortunatly I still have the problem, and I used a stethoscope and the noise is coming from the cam. Any further replies will be greatly appreciated, and I'll keep you posted if and when I sort the problem out.

[MX-5]

I've had to change the lifters with an updated part number for a few PT owners. Out of over 100 PTs that I service, only a few sounded like a diesel engine when they started.