ticking noise, any ideas ?

[welshdean]

Been offered a good deal for my car and cash for a 1.8t.

When I asked him if there are any rattles, knocks or bangs he said there is a slight ticking noise.
I then asked where he thinks it's coming from and he claims it's not the engine atall but a possibly a spring inside the valve. He said it sounds similar to a spark plug when it touches metal.
He also says it only happens when it idles.

The temperature stays below 90 when driven and just over when in traffic .

Does this sound like anything serious

[Nino]

The ticking will be (at a guess) the carbon canister, and the temp thing means 100% certain, new Temp sensor needed and new Termostat and for the love of god ONLY buy gen parts for them. By replacing those parts MPG will also get better

[Granta Gti]

Pretty sure the ticking is your Evap system all the 18t do it unless it has been removed (carbon canister) and not up to temp will be thermostat

[welshdean]

Does this neccessarily mean that it is knackered until changed or can it still be driven properly

[james2]

The tempture goes over halfway in traffic ?

[xionsolaris]

The purge valve and carbon canister always tick u can hear and feel it if you touch the purge valve when running

[xionsolaris]

Your description of your temp issues points to a partially open thermostat i had this with my mk3 it wasnt heating up or when using the heater the temp was dropping even more changed the thermostat the car is now hot within 2 miles about the over heating in traffic u need to run the engine at a stand still and rev it to see if your cooling fan is working if it is not coming on u need to check too see if its fan switch or the actuall motor do to this when car is at 90 probe the fan wire if no live is current is present check the switch by checking for a live at the switch

[welshdean]

Yes he's saying it's stays just under 90 when driving and just over 90 in traffic. Are the canister and thermostat urgently needed as I have to drive 3 hours home lol

[matty james]

ha! mine makes that ticking noise, nice to know thats all it is

[GTi_James]

drive it home...BUT DO NOT STICK YOU FOOT ON THE DEVILS HEAD WHEN YOU DO! lol its not a 2ltr 

temp sensor piece of P!ss, ticking noise would be the carbon canister, remove and it will go away, for heavens sake please read the how to guide as well