All of a sudden I started to hear a rhythmic ticking noise loud enough to get my attention. It clearly came from front left side of engine area. Did it track engine rpm? Yes but engine noise overwhelms it fast enough.

After striking out trying to identify its origin, I did a search on this site. well you can imagine how many threads came up searching for tic or click, but I got lucky.

I wish I could find the thread again, I'd give the OP credit. He described the same noise, his mechanic found the power steering pump was loose. $58 and some tightening later he was fixed.

Well my noise was back again this morning. I noticed that if I turned the wheel to the stops at either extreme, the noise stopped (this could be a good test if it happens to you). Now I knew where I had to look.

I was surprised how hard it is to find instructions about removing the power steering pump! Finally found something: just like the water pump, you need to remove the pulley to get to the mounting screws. Also like the water pump, you loosen the pulley bolts with the belt attached.

Well I started to figure out what the bolt size is. As I ID'd it as a 13mm bolt head, I realized one or 2 of these bolts was only finger tight!

What an unexpected surprise. I'd never touched these bolts before, how the hell could they loosen themselves? Guess it can happen.

It didn't take long to realize the 1/4 inch ratchet fit well enough without removing the fans, anything bigger was hopeless.

A quick tighten and all is fixed, noise gone.

Hope it helps you someday.

John

 

Well done....

 

Jaguar issued a TSB for loose PAS pump pulley bolts.
Your car might not be in the VIN range.

bob

 

Simple and easy... I wish all problems were like that! Congrats on figuring it out without spending too much