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

[LostKnight]

amandaSky,

There's actually 2 ticking sounds involved with the injectors. The first seems to be directly related to the injectors and is a steady tick that goes up and down in direct relation to the RPM.

There's a second somewhat louder tick, that sounds more metallic, that happens at somewhat irregular intervals. To the best of my knowledge that tick has to do with the fuel pump pressuring up the fuel rails. If you turn the car off and wait a second or two for the fuel system to depressurize you'll hear a sound almost like a marble dropping.

Those two ticks about drove me nuts when I first heard them at about 500 miles on my car, but after reading around on the forum I've discovered that the sounds are normal due to the direct injection and high fuel pressure. It also seems that the ticking seems more prevalent on colder days and with the big wave of low temperatures across the U.S. it's probably colder than usual where you are and the ticking is probably a lot more noticeable.

[SKYRCKT]

Originally Posted by gizmoboy

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

It may be your tach making the noise. Mine started about a month ago (12,000 miles) and I noticed that when the RPM gauge was below a certain RPM, it stopped and when I reved the engine it started back and continued as long as I was at speed.

I called the dealership and they said the chain would need to be replaced behind the dash.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by LostKnight

Probably so. I'll just drop the top and drive faster. That seems to make it go away.

As I noted before, those ticking sounds are the LIFE of the SKY. What a lovely tick...comforting. However, I find more comfort in the Monsoon and subwoofer....so I really don't hear much of anything else.

[Showtyme5]

I went and test drove a Sky Redline this past weekend and noticed that ticking sound. I was wondering if there was something wrong with it.......now I know.

Funny thing was I didn't bother asking the sales guy because he told me he was new and he CLEARLY didn't know jack about the car (from comments he was making....he didn't even know how to move the seat back!). In fact, I asked him to take my gf for a ride (they insist on being in the car for test drives) so she could see how comfortable the passenger side is (haha).......he obliged......then proceeded to stall the car two different times while they simply went up and down the street!

Not to get off track, but this was a different dealer than one I went to two weeks ago to check out the Redline. When I was there, I also got stuck with a newbie who proceeded to not be able to answer any questions I had about the car and about financing/lease pullahead/incentives, etc........Saturn needs to hire more knowledgable staff......dealing with that newbie made me check out a different dealer and then I experienced the same thing!

[Nova-Exarch]

Originally Posted by Showtyme5

I went and test drove a Sky Redline this past weekend and noticed that ticking sound. I was wondering if there was something wrong with it.......now I know.

Funny thing was I didn't bother asking the sales guy because he told me he was new and he CLEARLY didn't know jack about the car (from comments he was making....he didn't even know how to move the seat back!). In fact, I asked him to take my gf for a ride (they insist on being in the car for test drives) so she could see how comfortable the passenger side is (haha).......he obliged......then proceeded to stall the car two different times while they simply went up and down the street!

Not to get off track, but this was a different dealer than one I went to two weeks ago to check out the Redline. When I was there, I also got stuck with a newbie who proceeded to not be able to answer any questions I had about the car and about financing/lease pullahead/incentives, etc........Saturn needs to hire more knowledgable staff......dealing with that newbie made me check out a different dealer and then I experienced the same thing!

My favorite ineptitude was 4, yes FOUR... sales people trying to install the tuneau cover (that I had already told them I was NOT interested in AT ALL) and failing miserably.

[SkyhighNY]

Could anyone tell me if there are other normal sounds that I should not be concerned with? In only have about 350 miles on my sky so have not adjusted to the sounds. Every time I hear something I wonder if I did something wrong and am not driving it properly, i.e., the first time I heard the ticking noise. (I've never owned a brand new car before.) Is there anything else you can tip me off to in advance?

[rich71]

rear diff clunk - normal, but embarassing in parking lots, injector clicks - normal, but sounds like a collapsed lifter - embarassing to have to explain both to the uniformed(non redline owners). basic hairdryer/jet engine sounds from the turbo, normal.......the one thing is if you hear a howling whirl or grinding sounds from the diff, you may want to check it out as designed as a pos from the factory. my manual tranny is fine so far, so that doesn't have any sounds to it yet(6k).

[rich71]

oops, i menat uninformed, not uniformed.....though the uniformed have noticed the sound my tires make from a dead stop.

[rich71]

man, it is too early to spell....sorry all.

[SkyhighNY]

Originally Posted by rich71

oops, i menat uninformed, not uniformed.....though the uniformed have noticed the sound my tires make from a dead stop.

My Mom always told me to watch out for men in uniforms - I guess she was right! Thanks for the help, at least I have an idea what is normal now and what isn't.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by rich71

oops, i menat uninformed, not uniformed

rich, you can edit your posts and correct spelling.

Originally Posted by rich71

rear diff clunk - normal, but embarassing in parking lots, injector clicks - normal, but sounds like a collapsed lifter - embarassing to have to explain both to the uniformed(non redline owners). basic hairdryer/jet engine sounds from the turbo, normal.......the one thing is if you hear a howling whirl or grinding sounds from the diff, you may want to check it out as designed as a pos from the factory. my manual tranny is fine so far, so that doesn't have any sounds to it yet(6k).

When the car is turned off (also happens if you cycle ignition to the Acc position and back again), if you wait a few moments you will hear what sounds like a marble dropping into a plastic cup. Happens twice. The second drop is tied to the headlamps and interior lamps going off, which leads me to believe the apparatus making the sound is some kind of timer for those systems.

A whistle sound after you lift off the throttle is the compressor bypass valve venting.

Seatbelt buckle vibrating against interior plastic next to it.

Seat leather rubbing against door (I haven't noticed driver side, but passenger side seat may touch the door slightly when no occupant is in the seat).

Chrome accents over the speedo and tach can come loose and rattle. Push 'em back on.

Brakes can feel smushy or grindy when ABS or OHB kicks in. Manual says they may make noise...but I've never heard it. I have had ABS kick in

You may also hear mechanical noise when ESC kicks in. I've never heard the mechanical sound, but I have had ESC kick in.

Tires may squeal on low speed turns on concrete or parking garage surfaces.

Rocks and gravel can kick up into the rear wheel well, creating ping ping ping sound off your left ear.

[SkyhighNY]

Originally Posted by Bogie

When the car is turned off (also happens if you cycle ignition to the Acc position and back again), if you wait a few moments you will hear what sounds like a marble dropping into a plastic cup. Happens twice. The second drop is tied to the headlamps and interior lamps going off, which leads me to believe the apparatus making the sound is some kind of timer for those systems.

A whistle sound after you lift off the throttle is the compressor bypass valve venting.

Seatbelt buckle vibrating against interior plastic next to it.

Seat leather rubbing against door (I haven't noticed driver side, but passenger side seat may touch the door slightly when no occupant is in the seat).

Chrome accents over the speedo and tach can come loose and rattle. Push 'em back on.

Brakes can feel smushy or grindy when ABS or OHB kicks in. Manual says they may make noise...but I've never heard it. I have had ABS kick in

You may also hear mechanical noise when ESC kicks in. I've never heard the mechanical sound, but I have had ESC kick in.

Tires may squeal on low speed turns on concrete or parking garage surfaces.

Rocks and gravel can kick up into the rear wheel well, creating ping ping ping sound off your left ear.

Thanks some of these are really great. I definitely noticed the whistle when lifting off the throttle.

I have also noticed a whirring(?) sound for a couple of seconds when I turn it on. I would say it resembles the sound of a power antanea although I don't have one of these. However, I only notice it when I'm parked in the garage. I guess everything echoes in there.