Odd noise when warm from engine

Ok so my engine makes this weird noise when the engine is warmed up and is usually only at idle or if its in park and you slightyl rev it. its kinda like a tick/knock and when you get down close to the engine while its running it sounds like its coming from inside the engine really close to the timing belt cover. it only does it when the car is warmed up. ive checked the oil and its right up full. a friend of mine recommended using lucas oil stabilzer but all that seems to have done is made it louder. could it be valve noise? or piston knock? is it anything to really worry about yet? Its a 1996 SOHC neon with around 168000 miles. i do oil changes around every 3k miles and its been makin this noise for around a year now and hasnt gotten worse till i added lucas. should i drain the oil and change the filter and add straigh oil? the check engine light isnt on and the oil light isnt on either. any ideas would be helpful.

Does the tick increase with RPM's? If so, it's probably lifter tick.

well considering these cars are worst for blowing timing belts CHANGE IT ASAP chances are it jumped the crank a tooth, and the noise would be valves hitting cyl. usally #1 cyl. i seen 5 of these crap motors blow timing belts, less then 100,000 km. could very well be the tensionor on timing belt remove timing cover and inspect belt any cracks or missing teeth REPLACE! or you can kiss ur dodge good bye:eek:

well i think if it was the timing belt it would run a bit rough but it runs pretty good for being so old with near 170,000 miles. yea the tick increases with rpms. if i let it warm up like on a cold day for like 5 mins and dont touch the gas pedal it wont tick but if i quick rev it just a tad it will start to tick/knock. awhile ago it had a fairly big exhaust leak right after the manifold could this have caused the valves to warp makin this tick/knock?

I doubt it's the valves...you have what sounds like the typical lifter tick. You can pull the valve cover and take a look at them.