New '04 MC/CVT makes a ticking sound - emanating from the passenger side rear wheel area for a few minutes after being started. Only seems to happen on the first start-up of the day, and disappears on it’s own after just a couple of minutes.

I suspect it may just be the exhaust heating up, and I’m hearing expansion.

I did a search and didn't come up with any topics, does anyone else experience this noise?

 

The light ticking sound is coming from an emissions control solenoid in the back. Many cars have these, and depending on how quiet the engine is, you can hear it. It has a roughly 1 second periodic rate.

 

Thank you. Makes perfect sense to me. I'd guess this device only operates during cold start-up?

 

Yep, cold starts and sometimes after a fill-up. It has to do with the vapor recovery system on board.