Clicking Sound While Idling

Occasionally while my truck is idling there is a clicking sound. It is very noticeable, unfortunately it usually stops by the time I can look under the hood or under the truck. I’ve heard it while idling in a drive thru and while warming the truck up. Can be in park or in drive, hot or cold, and it never constantly happens. I’ve only noticed it while idling though. My wife asked me today what that noise is, hoping someone has a suggestion.

 

This happened to me one time. It ended up being the plastic trim of the front bumper which screws to the skid plate. A screw had broken off. Intermittent tick/rattle that came and went

 

I had a severe clicking noise. The solution I had was just simply changing the oil. Seems when I bought the truck it was already a year past oil change.

 

For work, I drive a Dodge Ram, with the 5.7 Hemi engine. We have had to replace the lifters due to the heavy ticking sound. Hopefully it's something simple.

 

Could be the timing chain tensioner on the drivers side. Common issue on the 5.7 so I’ve heard and for some reason it’s always the drivers side. I’m dealing with this right now on my truck although the noise goes away after it’s warmed up.

 

Next time take a video...

 

Sound like this at all?

https://youtu.be/aselm4oi3zQ

 

That's what mine has sounded like for 150k. It's a noisy engine. I'm over it.

 

What did that sound end up being? Seems like it went away and then came back. Was the AC on?

 

It’s the timing chain tensioner on the drivers side. Yeah it has odd harmonics.

 

.

 

My 2010 did it after a friend borrowed it. I’m pretty sure he dogged it and broke the timiming chain guide. Why have a plastic guide to guide a metal chain?

 

Can’t remember, I think I was told the guide is Teflon lined.