Hey everyone. I just want to share my recent experience with a loud ticking noise that I thought may have been the dreaded cylinder liner tick. Hopefully this can help someone diagnose their ticking if they think it's a liner too. So for no apparent reason the engine starting making a ticking noise that followed engine rpm. It was coming from the front left side of the engine (front drivers side). It sounded like it was coming from the head so I immediately thought the worst, or a bad hydraulic lifter or something. It made the noise sometimes only when warm, and sometimes all the time even on cold startup, but it seemed to get worse after driving 15 miles or so. To diagnose the problem I removed the serpentine belt and ran the engine for just a few seconds (don't run it long as the water pump won't be turning). The noise stopped when I did this so I knew it wasn't an internal engine problem. The noise was coming from around the power steering pump so I tried spinning that by hand and it seemed to make a slight noise. That narrowed it down for me so I changed the pump and all is well now. The power steering itself never showed any signs of failure and it still worked great while making the noise, even offroading. I also tried flushing the fluid first but that didn't help. Sorry for the short book but hopefully this will save someone from getting engine work done that's unneeded.

 

That's great info, and not costly/difficult to check. I tried lifters/exhaust leak/oil pump...nada. I did not try that one before buying my new long block, but alas, with the same old steering pump but new engine, the ticking is gone on mine. I'd be really ticked (pun!) if it was the steering pump at this point!

 

One more for the list.Thanks for sharing.

 

Another spot for the every useful yard stick, hold one end to item in question and flat side to your ear....

 

Thats true. I used a harbor freight stethoscope which I forgot to mention. The noise was loudest on the accessory bracket

 

Awesome idea. I didn't even know the PS pump could tick.

 

Sleeves tick, oil pump cracks and can tick, PS pump tick, wierd problems under valve covers tick, exhaust leak ticks, spark coil wires break down and tick, and the rarest of all - the mechanic who leaves his calling card.....

 

It's even worse when a doctor does that. "Has anyone seen my iPhone?"

 

The OP of this thread explained exactly what just happened to my power steering pump on my drive home from work yesterday. My 100$ used pump lasted almost two years (can't complain). I called around, only used pump I can find wouldn't be here for a few days and it cost 125.00 (not going this route). Then I found a re-man Cardone pump for 207.00 with lifetime warranty, be here in the morning. At the very least, every time I need a pump, it will be covered I suppose??? hahaahahaha

Anyone running a Cardone rebuilt pump? Or did I just lose.

 

I've used cardone in the past non-rover without issues.