I have a tick (and it aint my nerves) :(

[Nova-Exarch]

I've just noticed a ticking as of last night (see the red circle). It may have been going for a while and I didn't notice it but I kind of doubt it. I would have heard it between songs even when I did have the radio up too loud to hear the ticking.

It lasted all the way home this morning. The speed of the ticking corresponds to the RPM's. Joy.

1 week and already a trip to the shop

[Rustyknight]

Are you sure this isn't just the fuel pump?

The redlines have a high pressure fuel system because they are direct injected, and the fuel pump makes a constant ticking sound. The fuel pump ticking is most noticable when driving with the top down, or idling with the hood open.

[Nova-Exarch]

I have no idea where the fuel pump is on the sky.

I suppose that could be it but I wouldn't know. I've never heard a fuel pump that ticks before (I would call fuel pump noise a whirring sound, similar to the windshield washer fluid pump sound). I have no idea what the Redline's fuel pump is like though.

I would not be concerned except that it did not make that noise at all over the first 700+ miles, including a trip across the mountains. Neither of the Redlines I test drove made the noise either.

And it is noticeable with the top up, hood down. Even at speed I can hear it up until mid range RPMs where the engine noise drowns it out.

I've heard cars with ignition "issues" or just plain old loud ignitions and it sounds like that sort of ticking (as opposed to any sort of valve knocking or anything like that).

[Drivetime]

Probably can save yourself the trip. A ticking sound (tied to RPMs is normal). I noticed it when I was test driving mine before buying it. I had the salesman start up three others on the lot before I was convinced. They all do it.

[shabby]

The ticking is normal, its due to either the injectors, mechanical fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator. Its only on the turbo kappas, base ones dont have this ticking. Relax, its normal.

[SSRL]

Yes, it notrmal. I got a print out from the dealer on this. Call them and tell them you want info on it.

[Skip]

The ticking is normal. It is caused by direct fuel injection at around 2000 PSI...Skip...

[Nova-Exarch]

Yeah, I got the printout today. I had to go there anyway to finish some paperwork and pick up my van (left it there when I got my Sky).

I heard the normal levels of ticking on my car (prior to 700 miles that is) and the other two I test drove.

It's just different. The full time ticking is louder and there's a weird cycling "tink" that's sounding from the same place as the "marble dropping" sound. It makes that noise like once for every four clicks...

ticktickticktick-clink-ticktickticktick-clink-(etc...) Sound attached in the word doc.

None of this was going on when I first got it. The ticking is a good 3x to 4x louder than when I first got it and also that much louder in comparison to the other two Redlines I listened to (granted they were all brand new).

Of course I see you all saying it is normal and I understand that. Of course I don't WANT anything to be wrong but car noises don't just change for no reason at all.

I'd like to know if anyone else has noticed the ticking getting worse after the first several hundred miles?

Maybe after certain parts hit a certain amount of usage they just reach their full loudness? I dunno...

The car's power is still there 100%. No CEL's no hesitation, nothing detrimental other than me thinking I pushed it too hard or something before it was fully "broken in" or something crazy like that.

Thanks for all the responses.

To bad I have the kids all by myself for a bit so I'll likely not get any driving time for the next week or so anyway

[Rick Tinley Park]

N/A's have a tick too -- Fuel injectors. Just not as many as you RLs
More noticible as it get cooler too.

[Drivetime]

Almost 5K on ours. Yes, it seems louder than I remember it being when I first bought it. No issues, runs great.

[gizmoboy]

Funny I thought it was my tach. making that ticking sound.

[Nova-Exarch]

Eh.. still makin the sound. Still strong as ever.

Some sort of ingition parts /shrug.

I just need a louder exhaust so it'll drown it out.

I hope to make the Yosemite run this weekend and I can hear others to make sure I am not crazy.

[rich71]

I have the same thing, never heard it for the first 1k or so. sounds like a lifter that collapsed and it happens in between the regular ticks of the fuel pump/injectors. you should notice that while in neutral/park, if you slowly increase the rpm, at a certain point, it just stops. it is part of the full injection/pump system and i have not had any issues. it does sound like sh*T though, just like the rear end clunk!!!! THANK YOU GM

[Tom13yearsaturntech]

Normal Booster fuel pump noise. Your sky has 2 pumps. A normal in tank pump and a mechanical high pressure pump on the cylinder head that boosts the pressure to a max of around 2000 psi. Very similar to a a compression ignition engine. This high pressure pump makes a slow click or clack. The noise will very with the fuel needs of the engine.

[sky'd up]

Just got my redline and while stopped to put my first tank of fuel in it, someone stopped to tell me that my timing chain was loose. He commented that the ticking made the car sound like a vw. I was gonna bitch at the dealer but if you all think its normal to hear that tick when he is idling Ill just let it go.

[cfjara]

yeah some say it sounds like a turbo diesle vw....the ticking is from the injectors . Being direct injection they operate at really high pressure and the ticking you hear is the injector starting and stopping, multiplied by four. Coincidentally diesel engines also operate at extermely high injector pressures and have been direct injection by design for years which is why someone made the association between the two.

If you had a loose timing chain, you'd have major run issue....rough idle, power loss, etc.

[cfjara]

one more thing to add....the ticking is alot more noticeable when you are on smoother surfaces since the sounds resonates off the floor better under extremely flat surfaces...i.e. garages. Its a lot louder on my garage floor than the parking lot at work.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by sky'd up

Just got my redline and while stopped to put my first tank of fuel in it, someone stopped to tell me that my timing chain was loose. He commented that the ticking made the car sound like a vw. I was gonna bitch at the dealer but if you all think its normal to hear that tick when he is idling Ill just let it go.

If someone makes a comment like that again -- just look at them and say, "that's what real fuel injection sounds like..."

[Jaysmith2000]

I was wondering what that noise was on my RL. Thanks for the info everyone.

[LostKnight]

I have the same sound too. Didn't notice it until about 700miles on the car. Car still runs good but it's odd that it 'developed' and wasn't there from the beginning.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by LostKnight

I have the same sound too. Didn't notice it until about 700miles on the car. Car still runs good but it's odd that it 'developed' and wasn't there from the beginning.

Weather? Is it colder?? Cold brings it out and it gets quieter as it warms up

[1Man1Sky]

Yeah, it was there, you just didn't notice it. Every Redline ticks.

What bothers me is that if the lifters do ever start ticking, how will you know?