Car's got a nervous tic

[Goldmember]

My 04 has had all maintenance done except the fuel filter, runs great, is performing like a stock PI should.

Question is, under load, I have a faint ticking coming from the driver-side bank of the motor. It's not timing chain guides/tensioners, not the injectors, I ruled out exhaust leak. It's not affecting how the car runs at all, any ideas? This is a head-scratcher. When my dad took it out recently, he said he couldn't hear it. For all I know it's something in the dash.

 

[1997gtRioRed]

is it always the same speed that doesnt change with engine rpm? mine does it too and its the carbon canister purge solenoid. its normal, just pretty annoying

 

[Goldmember]

If so, good to know. Where is it located on the motor? Is it cleanable or should it just be replaced?

 

[1997gtRioRed]

by the back of the engine, center to maybe passenger side a little.

mine was bad and was throwing a code, so i got a new one and it ticks. it was a cheap autozone replacement so maybe a ford one would be silent. not 100% sure on that.

it looks like this, just a small cylinder (possibly wrapped in a think rubber insulator) with 2 vacuum lines going to it and an electrical connection up top

 

[Goldmember]

Thanks for the pic. If it's not hurting anything, then I'll leave it for now, I have front-end issues that are a little more important