Yesturday when I started up the engine on my Abarth I got an unpleasant ticking diesel noise. This was right after a thermostat change (old was stuck open). I know that the battery is bad and I did change timing belt 2 weeks ago, tho it all went OK and I had no noise afterwards. It sounded as the pistons hit the valves, didn't like it at all. Anyway, I hooked the charger up over night and this morning I cleared a faulty engine code (P1653), then I tryed the engine one more time - and guess what? It was gone. Engine running well, took it for a ride and I got nothing? It's running really well and I stareted it serval of times.

What can cause this behavior? If it was timing fault noise wouldn't disappear (and run OK for 2 weeks)? Can a faulty battery do this? Coolant fluid fillup? When I got the car 4 weeks ago it had various engine fault codes, but after charging battery and erasing them it was fine.. But a ticking engine??

I did a recording if anyone want to listen to her?

Check your solenoid valve, make sure that it is working correctly. Ticking sound is probably coming from variator.

Were is it located? Is it an electronic component? That one on upper image?
Thanks.

Sounds like your variators bust if it's sounding like a diesel. It's the big cylindrical shaped thing on the top left of the picture. Is this where the sound was comming from?

It was hard to tell were it came from as it was on same level as engine noise, a human ear couldn't tell that I'm sure on.

Is it common that the variator failing, and then goes back to normal like this? I can't help to think about the fact that it occured directly after I did the thermostat change.. Are there any cables that I may have damaged that set variator off or is the whole system mechanical?

Also, the fault code mentioned is related to this i think, but as I said before - I got engine faults on low battery before (this included).

If it is the variator then it would be the biggest coincidence ever as the two are not connected in anyway. There a mechanical device made up of a couple of gears and springs held inside a cylinder which alters (or varies) the inlet valve camshaft timing. They have known to wear out long before they should but it's unusual that it would be intermittent?

Oh well selespeed pump, cam belt, thermostat, various electric faults, and now possible this, I get to learn alot tearing this car down..

One more thing, say that it is faulty and the ticking returns - can it lead to big end failure right the way or will I be able to take her home and deal with it? It doesn't look all that bad changing it, lock the cams and switch? I just fear valve and piston damage..

No you won't get valve and piston damage. At worst I'ld say your camshaft and lifters may wear quicker. It doesn't effect your big ends. You have to actually remove the camshaft and unscrew the variator from the end of the camshaft. You'll need a special tool but you could make one easily enough

Guide for an Alfa variator:

http://home.hccnet.nl/jaap.bouma/PhaseVariator.htm

FIAT is similar.