I've owned 5 Honda's, 2.0, 1.6,1.8.2.2,and 2.3vtec and they all made a ticking noise except the 2.0. it was carborated not PFI. I've been told the ticking is from a fuel injector or from the top end of the engine(valves or lifters). you could also check for a leak between the header and exhaust manifoldeither way I drove them all till they had over 300K on them with no problems!