3vz Engine Noise

[myconid]

My 3vz is making a strange noise at idle. It sounds alot like the noise an exhaust manifold makes when you turn the car off (the cooling off ting ting noise). It does it constantly though, apparently coming from the passanger side of the motor. My motor has 140k on it. I ran it out of steering fluid, so my pump makes a wierd bussing sound all the time (even when its full of fluid) now. Im not sure what is making the noise, but it SEEMS like its coming from one of the accessories, or the water pump. You cannot hear it in the car, and it is not noticable when you rev the motor (it does not get worse or louder, I cant tell if it gets more often or anything.. it seems to go away, or be muffled).

Any ideas? It does it the same cold/warm.

[Colorado]

Possibly manifold exhaust leak or sticky valve lifters. Both will tick when the engine is running. Volume of noise will increase under load with manifold leak, usually cracked manifold or bad gasket. Valve noise will either remain constant or quiet down after the engine warms up.

If manifold, tighten bolts to manufacturers spec. And feel for leaks on a cold engine.

Valve noise, first try an engine cleaner such as Sea Foam and see if it quiets it down. Otherwise you will probably need a valve job.

Neither problems are really that *bad* for the vehicle, and seem to be pretty common on Camrys.

[myconid]

http://www.vtwireless.com/~sbrinker/carsound.mp3
(800k)

You can hear another car running in the background. I start my car, then you can hear the whine of the (i believe power steering pump), some noisy valves (a couple seconds after I start it) perhaps, and then a tinking sound like a dragging tincan. When I rev it the 2nd time, you can't hear the tinking sound anymore. Ideas?