Constant engine ticking

"jkruer01" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com:

Check your engine oil level. When mine got really low, I'd hear a ticking. At first, I heard it when the car starts but disappears as it warms up, but as the oil level got lower then the ticking kept sounding. When I'd fill up on the oil, the ticking went away. Eventually I had some gasket replaced (been too long to remember) and the oil level didn't drop anymore by the time for the next oil change so now I don't hear the ticking anymore (but I'm more conscious of my oil level and check it about once a month). If the engine oil level is okay then it could be an oil pump that isn't providing enough of a flow rate.

However, I have a completely different car than yours (a 92 Legacy) so your ticking may be from something completely different, especially if the oil level is okay. Maybe it's a sticky valve lifter: it expands too slowly so the valve slaps against it until the oil warms up and the lifter moves more freely (or the ticking rate gets so high in frequency that you simply don't hear it anymore).

*Could* be loose spark plugs that were installed to less than factory torque of 15 ft/lbs. If not torqued correctly the plug can actually turn itself loose in the plug wire boot and eventually it will pop out.

I know this from experience. Once tightend correctly, no mopre tick. Of course I had a slight smell of gas at idle, do you?

The other folks have posted excellent suggestions.

One other thought. At 105K miles, you are do for a "major service" including timing belt replacement. Do you know if this has been done yet?

I have heard a strange ticking sound from a Forester engine with a defective timing belt tensioner. Is the noise coming from the front of the engine?

A arcing spark plug wire will also produce a "ticking" sound. However, this *should* have set off your CEL.