I will get a recording up sometime today.

I am familiar with various noises that engines like to make, I just wish this was one of those that can be ignored.

I can add that it's started to make the noise from cold too.

Still no noticeable effect on driving, so given up on my sticky valve theory.

Waiting on the weather to be kind and get the timing belt cover off for a good long look.

I think you can see quite well with the top 2 bolts out it bends quite nicely out of the way.

Yup that's as far as I got last time.

When pulled back the noise was noticeably louder.

I just gotta pull as many bolts as possible as I really want to check condition of the tensioner.

What's the mileage/age of the car and has the cam belt been done?

Its just turned 60000. No paperwork for belt change.

Ford Zetec Se ticking noise:

My video doesn't do the noise justice.

....but just fell upon this video where appears to be the same in origin as mine but in a advanced state.

ford fiesta 2003 motor tikt:

Either or could be the water pump starting to give up or it could be the tensioner for the cam belt.

This is all I have for now of mine sounds the same now and far less clicky than yours.

https://youtu.be/EJgzDjZpKG4

Yeah mine sounds the same when it's not ticking...😁

Gonna have to think if there's away to replace the tensioner while maintaining the timing for the time being, as funds at the moment just won't cover booking it in for a complete kit to be fitted.

I wouldn't have thought the belt will move so long as you take care leave it in gear and chalk the cams that's about all you can do.

That's kind of along the lines of what I'm thinking.

Might just add some soft grip clamps to all the pulleys to avoid skipping a tooth.

Ford zetec se ticking noise part 2:

So finally the noise has been cured!!

Spent most of the day fighting with the timing belt cover.

I had it running and nearly threw the towel in.

Could find no fault with the tensioner, then by chance when releasing tension I heard a tap.

Couldn't believe my luck!

Flipping thing was hitting against its own "bump stop"

All went back together nicely, although I got so p***ed off with the timing belt cover it snapped in half.

So got to find another.

Thanks for the pointers given on here, would never go near the timing belt normally.

Scrap yard would have a few of them belt covers I reckon.