Had an oil analysis done this spring that said wear levels were normal but there was an unusual (elevated but not extreme, like 0.10% or something) amount of water dilution in the sample. I haven't checked it out yet but there is a thin layer of sludge on the top of the engine through the oil fill hole. I scraped it out with my nail. I have Pennzoil Conventional in it now. We've been having some issues with noises lately such as groaning and now loud whining while accelerating (even revving in PARK does this). I had my power steering flushed and it took care of the groan but the whine is terrible. Timing belt has not been changed for awhile. Now the wife mentioned (which she never does) to my horror that she heard an intense ticking/clicking sound while starting it up and idling the other day. I asked her to elaborate and she said it was like tickatickaticka really fast - like the engine idle but it was ticking/slapping. She said it seemed to go away but the whine could have drowned it out. To me it sounds like it could be a lack of oil to the engine but oil pressure light is not on - and heaven forbid a water pump failure. Haven't taken it in yet but last time mech said the power steering pump would have to be replaced soon. There is also a CEL on. Sigh...
