Engine area makes a clicking noise while idling

[Captaingnarnia_]

So I recently got my p5 and off the bat I get real alert whenever I hear a noise while driving (most of the times its cars next to me). This is my first car and I dont really know much but I know its not something normal. While my car is idle or at a stop I hear a clicking noise which at first I thought it was a belt, but as I focus in more Its coming from the engine area. This website: http://www.angelfire.com/empire/automotivehelp/Hear_Trouble.html#Popping gave me these possible causes:

1. Your valves need adjusting: Adjust valves or replace hydraulic lifters as required.
2. The engine is low on oil: Fill engine oil to specified level.
3. The engine's oil pressure is low: Determine cause of low oil pressure and repair as required.

Does anyone have any insight on what the problem might be, maybe if you've gone through it or just have knowledge on it?

The car is due for an oil change at 137,XXX miles and I'm at 136,XXX

 

[BobbleCat]

Had a similar problem in a previously owned vehicle; my lifters were 'sticky' because I neglected to change the oil often. I used some oil flush additive, drained, put new oil in and used Seafoam, drained, and put in some Royal Purple to finish it up.

 

[ap123]

Our cars have solid lifters so valve tapping is normal even a rebuilt just reshimed engine will have some valve tapping. Obviously if the sound is super loud there is something wrong. Some people recommend doing sea foam flushes regularly to keep the oil galleys as clean as possible to minimize the noise. But it's b/c of the design you can't get rid of it 100%

 

[Luken10]

Make sure it isn't something simple first. Every now and then I get some loud clicking at idle, but it will come and go. I found it to just be my hood prop rattling around.

 

[P-Funk!]

Or a noisy injector...

Investigate further where the noise is coming from...