I swapped cars with my mom and let her use my car because I had to move some items. When I got my car back I've been having a intermittent issue. It only happens when I'm in traffic going from a complete stop to a start, or when I'm at a speed 45 mph or lower. When I accelerate I hear a ticking noise coming from the front driver side of the engine, and the car struggles to accelerate. Once it starts going or once I get to like 50 mph or above I no longer hear it and the car seems fine. I don't have any lights on and the oil pressure seems fine. Oil level is fine. I'm wondering if its a rod about to be thrown (hopefully not) or something else.... could it be a bad spark plug maybe? HELP. lol

 

Is there any ticking noise with the car sitting at idle?

If not, the "ticking" could be an exhaust leak on the drivers side exhaust manifold. Could be the flange gasket at the head, the AIR system check valve on top of the manifold, or the flange where the Y-pipe attaches.

Another possibility is spark knock (detonation) too severe for the knock sensor system to eliminate. The sound is typically described at "ball bearings rattling in a tin can".. And, the fact that the PCM has pulled the maximum possible timing (15 degrees in stock program) to eliminate the knock can make the engine feel less responsive.

Not sure that most people would describe a rod knock as a "ticking noise", but anything is possible Just rule out the other possible causes first, before jumping to that conclusion.

 

No ticking at idle. Only when accelerating

 

Does the engine easily reach max RPM, or does it struggle and fail? That could be a sign of a plugged catalytic converter, causing excessive back pressure in the exhaust, and causing the exhaust leak.