Tick on driver side

[Ink02]

Gen 2 with 94k I’ve been hearing this tick which I have focused between the turbos heat shield and valve cover on the driver side. Sounds like it’s focused on cylinder 4. It’s louder on cold starts below 45° F. It is inconsistent and increases and decreases with rpm but fades out as I go higher. Looking for a second opinion. Hoping it’s a manifold leak of some sort because I don’t want it to be the lifters. I haven’t seen anything about excessive tick from lifters on any mzr after doing some research. Any advice or suggestions would help me further trouble shoot my problem. Thanks

 

[L337TurboZ]

The HPFP is on that side of the engine. Those with the sound of the injectors can be noisy. Is the car running in any abnormal way other than noise?

An exhaust leak can tick when cold then close up warm. You could always go through and check the tightness of the exhaust manifold, the downpipe to turbo, and the turbo mounting bolts. Depending on how bad of a leak and where you'd experience slightly longer spool up or not hitting target boost pressure.

Is there any way to get a clear sounding video of it? With as little background noise as possible?

 

[Enki]

This car doesn't have lifters, it's DOHC.