Clicking noise in engine compartment (V6)

[Lone Solara]

Here's the story. I'm at the dealer today picking up my new V6 SLE Convertible. I test drive it, check out the top, etc; everything looks good. As I wrap up my checks, I open up the hood to look for any abnormalities, and just as I'm about to close the hood I hear this clicking noise. It sounds like a fairly rapid series of clicks, constant, at a rate of about 5/second. Almost sounds like a spark plug while working. The sound was coming from around the battery, or below the battery. It wasn't the engine itself, and it wasn't any of the fans either. The sound was metallic in nature, and it didn't go away or subside. Once I was listening for it, I could actually hear it from the driver's side door.

Now here's the big question: Has anyone encountered anything like this before ? I had the salesman start another SLE Convertible on the lot, and I listened until the engine warmed up; no clicking. On my first SLE Convertible (2004 - I just sold it), I didn't have that clicking either. The salesman is going to take the car to the service department in the morning so they can look at it, but unless they can actually fix it, I'm not buying the car. So, if anyone has any info on possible causes it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

P.S. The car had only 5 miles on the odometer, so it was virtually right off the assembly line.

[Mandarinsolara]

stay away from solaras whats your problem

[slingshot]

You sold a 2004 SLE convertible and you're getting a 2006 same car? Why?

[Lone Solara]

You sold a 2004 SLE convertible and you're getting a 2006 same car? Why?

Sold it to my sister.

[Lone Solara]

In case anyone was still curious about this, I found out what the problem was(actually, there's no problem). The clicking noise was caused by the VSV (vacuum switching valve) for EVAP. The valve detects when there is excessive pressure (fumes) in the gas tank, and activates itself in order to relieve the fuel pressure (sends it back through the charcoal canister; not sure what that does). Anyway, the shop foreman at the dealereship linked the diagnostics computer to the car and demonstrated turning the valve on and off. That put my questions to rest, and yes, I bought the car.

After I drove the car for a while, the VSV EVAP activity made sense. I believe they overfilled the gas tank before I took delivery. The fuel gage was above the F line, and it stayed there for the first 70 miles or. Since then I filled the tank a couple of times, and the gauge never went that far again, and certainly not for that long.