Hi All

Was doing a coolant change on my 2004 Panda 1.2 Dynamic yesterday, and while running the engine to make sure it was circulating, I noticed what sounds like a fast clicking / tapping noise coming from the area where the air cleaner assembly is attached to the engine, which I'm presuming is the throttle body. It doesn't happen when the car is idling, but only when the revs are increased, and to me it sounds like the butterfly valve in the throttle body is opening and closing very fast.

Is this normal?

Took the car for a run after the coolant change, and it drives without fault, average mpg is saying 50+ miles, so I'm presuming everything is ok, it's just one of those noises that you can't really tell without some confirmation.

I'd be very grateful for any views / thoughts on this.

Could possibly be the Idle Control Valve trying to adjust itself or perhaps a noisy injector.

You might pinpoint the sound with a screwdriver.
Hold it to various parts and rest the handle against your cheek.
You should feel the noise through the screwdriver once you hit the part making the noise.

Goudrons said:

Could possibly be the Idle Control Valve trying to adjust itself or perhaps a noisy injector.

You might pinpoint the sound with a screwdriver.
Hold it to various parts and rest the handle against your cheek.
You should feel the noise through the screwdriver once you hit the part making the noise.

Click to expand...

Handy tip, thanks for that! I'll have a poke around and see what I come up with.

Just thought I'd update this thread, as I have now cured the tapping / clicking noise.

I was convinced it was the throttle body butterfly valve rapidly opening and shutting, so for £25 I bought a used throttle body from my local scrappy, fitted it in about 20 minutes, started up the Panda, hey presto, no more clicking / tapping noise. Happy days!

At tickover (1000 revs) there will be a 33 suction pulse every second from a four cylinder four stoke engine. Its possible that if a worn throttle valve could rattle when engine is ticking over leading the ticking noise you heard.