I thought I had an exhaust leak from the crossover pipe or rear manifold (V6). I'm not so sure, now. The ticking is audible only at idle. It either goes away, or is drowned by other noise when you rev it - even gently. Is there something in that area that ticks while the car is running?

 

After the dealer did some work on my stratus, I kept hearing a ticking at low speed/idle. Took it back to the dealer who found a loose vacuum line. I don't know which one. No problems since.

 

I think I will find you are right. I just replaced the spark plugs -- requiring removal of the upper intake manifold and its associated vacuum lines and electrical connections. I must have left one off. I'll let you know.

 

I just had my upper intake manifold off also for a valve cover gasket job. On the rear right corner of the upper intake manifold is a nipple for a large hose and then right underneath (same fitting) a nipple for small tube. Easy to overlook the second (small/thin) hose when you re-assemble...(this was onthe 98 ES with the 2.5L V6)

 

Just out of curiousity, did you ever find the reason for the ticking sound?

 

Not yet. I've been swamped with other things. I've only taken a quick look and found nothing.