Hi all,

I have a 04 WRX and recently notice two seperate tick sounds upon cold start.
First sound happens about 15 second after starting up and the second one is at least
5-10 seconds apart. I didn't notice any from the driver seat during very warm (80's)
days in the morning. If I don't hear the location wrong poping the hood, it comes
from the passenger side between the firewall and the pressure relief cap. Sounds
like a mechanical switch or thermal expansion.

Does this happens to anyone? Or someone can share their experience on what
part this sound is coming from and if this is normal(e.g. a mechanism upon
cold start I am not aware). I'm pretty new to troubleshooting cars.

Many Thanks!

 

I get some clicks on cold starts that I assume are thermal expansion. I think it's the heat sheilds and their brackets (passenger side makes sense for that too). I'm not positive though.

 

Thanks, that make sense. In my case it didn't feel like coming from the
turbo heat shield, but I'm not sure with me putting a finger on the heat
shield could detect the tick even if it happens. Guess I'll keep listening
in once a while as the loundness and the timing of the tick varies with
temperature, looks like that tick happens when part reach a certain
temperature.

 

im getting the same thing, just recently its become louder, and its really getting warmer where i am. i wondered if it has anything to do with too much oil ( i checked my oil and its over everytime i look?? or the type of oil my mechanic used (unsure) i just bought some quaker state 5/30 and if i can get under my car im going to change the oil this weekend.
should i add the oil supplement MOLLY SLIP with it, anybody ??
thanks, this site is keeping my sanity AND saving me costs.

 

Don't use any oil additives, they are totally unnecessary. Just use the proper grade and viscosity oil and change it at the recommended intervals.

 

great!
do you have any theory re: the "too much oil" and the ticking??