I've got an 04 santa fe with a 2.7l v6, that has a ticking noise. The noise is only getting worse, and I even saw some metal shavings in the last oil change . I am a bit upset because it only has 49k miles on it, but I guess it doesn't matter and it needs to be repaired.

I got under it today and took off the little plastic cover. The sound is coming from the back of the engine. It is a very annoying sound that seems to be getting worse. I fiddled around with the car and found that if I rev the engine at 3k rpms for about 4 seconds and then let off. The sound is gone, but comes back in about 7 to 10 seconds. I am almost certain it is a lifter, but it sounds as though the noise is coming from the lower portion of the engine. I guess it could just be the noise echoing down there.

I plan on either digging into it tonight or tomorrow to replace/inspect the lifters. I do have one question before I begin. I just want to take the valve cover off, it looks as though the timing belt is some how connected..... I do not know if that is true or not, but I'd appreciate the insight.

Here is a youtube video of the sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axqbBUtU_R0
and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzofQnwVsgs