Steering wheel ticking?

[skippy3k]

I've got a 2000 DII with 85k miles. I replaced the head gaskets a few thousand miles ago, and ever since then my wife has been telling me she hears a ticking noise around the steering column or in the dash area. I didn't believe her of course.

I was wrong....of course.

The ticking only occurs under 1500 RPM's, and increases/decreases with RPM's. Vehicle speed does not matter. It occurs whether the engine is hot or cold. Once you go above 1500 RPM, it goes away. It's almost a popping sound. Very slight and rather soothing, but definitely audible from inside the vehicle. Any ideas?

Scott

 

[Drillbit]

Its a bomb.

 

[enjoi1968]

Its a bomb.

x2

 

[96DiscoSE7]

get an automotive stethoscope and start listening.....

 

[skippy3k]

Really? I get two bomb jokes and a recommendation to "listen"? I figured this one would really intrigue some of you.

 

[wrenchmonkey]

I know you were hoping for more experienced answers here.
Wish this was one.
I had done similar work to a completely different vehicle (gasp - a ford) and afterward the wife "advised" me of this oddball sound I had created.
After MUCH review and reworking of things I DISCOvered the sound was being caused by the stupid jack handle which on that ford had some plastic grommet retainers to secure it in the engine bay. I had managed to pop one end of the long handle out of the retainer and it was simply vibrating against the bulkhead that held the radiator. Doh! 3 second resolution after many hours of futile diagnostic work.

Is this sound you hear coming from inside the cabin or outside? Can you tell? Sometimes the best thing for isolating the sound's source location is the drive-through window at McD's - sound bounces off the wall really well at our's anyway

 

[Steve Rupp]

Bad clock spring?

 

[skippy3k]

I'm an idiot. It turned out to be the thing I've helped others diagnose all the time.

Purge valve.

When I first suspected the purge valve, it must have not ticked when I stared at it, but started again the moment I got inside the vehicle, thus throwing me off track.