I am a learner and my 16oo motor has just developed a ticking noise in it ?? sounds like its coming from the left side rocker cover area .. any advice will help relieve amild anxiety attack ..should I rush to a mechanic ?? will it soon self distruct?? please advise .should I chill ??

Probably just overdue for rocker/valve adjustment.

is this a big$$ job ?? how long can it go un checked?? can it harm the motor??

it will be your tapets.....do a seach on google. i suggest you purchase the jhon muirs book "how to keep your volkswagen alive for the compleat idiot" it will tell you everything like this......u can do this yourself. u will need feeler guages and patience and possibly new rocker cover gasgets unless the old ones are still ok. it shouldnt be left unchecked for too long but shouldnt hurt your engine unless its really bad. ....if it is the tappets the noise will speed up and slow down with the revvs of the engine. the gap should be .006 inches for a 1600cc engine. it is also possible that your head could be coming loose. is it getting hard to start and running a little rough?

starts fine and runs fine and seems to be noisier at high revs . and thans for the tip with the user manual ..though I am only good on the guitar..I can tune that ok

then maybe just book it in for a good tune and a decent mechanics in your area and let him worry about it.

yeah ..sounds ok to me and a few bucks will give me peace of mind ..thanks heaps for your kind advice..

it's gonna blow!! Quick! cut the red wire!! no, no, wait, I think it's the blue wire!...Umm...no, it's always the red wire....oops, too late, better start running!

i had a similar problem and exhaust excaping from there was the cause

I am so amazed ..i checked out the bolts as suggested an THEY WERE LOOSE!! and since tightening the tick has gone !! your wisdom is much appreciated ..thanks heaps.