Its back in my 2010 Cooper S. Last time it was the vacuum pump, I replaced that late last summer. And now it seems louder! I need to take a few mins and locate for sure, but this time I don't think its the pump. Sounds like it might be in the head, but I dunno. Ugh, I hate not knowing what it is and if it is a major problem or just an annoying sound.
More info needed. If it's from your engine bay, you can use a long prybar or equivalent and use it as a stethoscope by placing it on various (non moving) parts of the engine. That'll give you a general location of the ticking. Let us know...
At idle is the only time I can hear it. Yup, I'll be taking the long screwdriver to it tonight to see if I can figure out where exactly its coming from. Seems like sometimes its a little quieter than others.
Ok, so using the old giant screw driver, an hand me down from grandpa, I did a little doctoring. Though the vacuum pump is ticking, not the same way it was before I replaced it. It almost sounds as if the nose is coming from the center of the valve cover. Also noticed that I'm down a little over a half quart of oil. So maybe its just the valves. I'll get some oil this evening and top off. Perhaps that will do the trick. I will note, that the ticking/tapping sound was not as prominent last night. I even let the car run for awhile to warm up to see if there was a difference.
Either the valves or the chain/tensioner/guides. I would do a complete oil change, with filter for starters and see what happens.