loud ticking (not lifters)

[talon_frost]

so last night I was driving and then i felt the car become alittle sluggish, then it starts making a really loud ticking noise that get louder as the engine as the rpm's gain, i started it this morning and from what i heard the sound is comming from the bottem left driver side bolt on the exhaust manifold, maybe even lower..... anyone be able to help

 

[Calan]

Is it truly a light ticking and not a heavier sounding knock?

Could be that you sprung an exhaust leak. If it is pre-turbo (which it is if it's the manifold leaking), you wouldn't see as much boost and therefore the power would drop off. If it's after the turbo (O2 housing or downpipe), it may be causing your AFR to change and/or affecting the O2 sensor.

Did your boost levels happen to drop lower than normal?

 

[talon_frost]

no boost is fine , it kinda made this noise awhile back but when the car warmed up it went away, but after last night its there the whole time and i check for exhaust leaks i wouldnt find any exhaust comming out when i put my hand close...

 

[Calan]

There is so much heat and fan turbulence around the exhaust manifold that it is hard to find a leak that way. You need to use a stethoscope with a piece of rubber hose, or Seafoam it.

BTW - A leaky exhaust manifold gasket can come and go as it expands and shrinks with temperature, until it gets bad enough.

If you haven't seen it, you may want to check out this. Down towards the bottom I explain how to check for exhaust leaks with a stethoscope.