I recently had the water pump and timing belt replaced in my TE 3.0L V6. The car drives well but there is a constant ticking noise coming from within the the cover on the driver's side of the engine and at times its louder and other times its quieter. The tick tick tick tick noise varies in loudness. I'm a little worried about this noise, what should I do? - Was the belt installed properly, or is it too loose? - Maybe the Tensionor (?) needs replacing? - or perhaps the engine itself has had it?.

My car is due for a full service soon just about to reach 260K, its had timing belts replaced at 90K, 185K and 255K.

I had something similar to this when I had my belt changed, turns out the tensioner was loose (removed d/side wheel and guard insert, could physically rock it with hands) because hadn't pulled up straight when mech put it back on. Good thing I checked it too, was beginning to wear into the housing behind it. Worth checking, even if just for peace of mind. Should be able to reach it without removing wheel etc though, just to see if it's loose.

I recently had the water pump and timing belt replaced in my TE 3.0L V6. The car drives well but there is a constant ticking noise coming from within the the cover on the driver's side of the engine and at times its louder and other times its quieter. The tick tick tick tick noise varies in loudness. I'm a little worried about this noise, what should I do? - Was the belt installed properly, or is it too loose? - Maybe the Tensionor (?) needs replacing? - or perhaps the engine itself has had it?.

My car is due for a full service soon just about to reach 260K, its had timing belts replaced at 90K, 185K and 255K.

Probably needs to be re-tensioned. Sometimes if the the hydraulic tensioner is old [and they usually recommend you change it [hydraulic tensioner] when you change your timing belt, it doesn't automatically retension the belt well enough and thus it does get loose. Had the exact problem when I changed mine. Felt like an engine vibration from time to time.

Also, on a side note...ONLY because this happened to be too (might not be applicable to you) but open the bonnet and put a flat head screw driver on the alternator and feel and listen for a vibration. It there is one then your alternator belt could be gone too and thus the rattle. If its not then its probably the timing belt....

Sounds good. I'm learning new things every day. I'll write down stuff for the mechanic to check and see what happens. My car still has the original engine in it.

My parents have a TJ Executive 3.0L mawson white, it makes a faint ticking noise but its much quieter and there is less vibration. After replacing the water pump in my car its much more smoother when accelerating cold.