the engine on my uk model 16v 96 is ticking from the top end, is this my camshaft or something simple. please help,worried.don,t know to much about engines though.

Its your HLA (hydraulic lash adjusters), Its very common on probes due to a faulty oil pump; the plunger is too short. If you want to get ride of it there is a revised oil pump you can buy. If decide to replace it, take a look at the HLA's to see if any of them are damaged. Yes, its coming from your underneath your valve cover gasket.

I, as most probe owners, have also had this problem.  I was running Valvoline 10w30, decided to change around a bit and put in Quaker State 5w30.  It stopped the HLAs from ticking.  Then just for the heck of it started running Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 and after an oil change it came back.  Recently I put Quaker State 5w30 (some sort of high mileage stuff but dont remember name) back in it and HLA tick is gone.  96k miles and quieter then when I got it.  Happy Probe.
Hope this may benefit others.
Ted

got my 1993 probe as a hands me down. got a ticking HLAs. use of a 10w30 oil worsened it. switched back to 5w30 lessened it. tried using dupont oil additive with teflon and result is awesome. it seemed more quiet than when my brother bought it brand new and he cant believe it! by the way, it already got 120k miles on it.  

I never tried the oil but i do know that fords use motorcraft oil filters that have an anti-drain back valve. So im sure if you use this oil filter it will also help you a lot since the oil wont run back down when your car is not running, helping it stay lubricated.

Oh, price on revised oil pump is between $200 and $250, Just go to ford or mazda to get it.

one thing you might wanna try is an engine flush when you change your oil put in 3 quarts of kerosine and 1 quart of oil then start your car and let run for a few minutes dont need to do it long at all then drain it all out and then put in your new oil

Don't use additives with any form of teflon in them.  Teflon WILL clog your engines oil system.  DuPont actually filed a suit to prevent their products from being used in oil additives for exactly this reason.  The only reason DuPont sells their material to these companies is due to the fact that they cannot be held liable for any damage that is done.  You couldn't pay me to put additives in my oil.  You can read more at www.probetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1700989168 and more about HLA ticking here www.probetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1700972748.

The only way to quiet those HLAs for good is the revised oil pump.  Covering them up with additives is like leaving a ticking time bomb in your car.  HLAs run about $40 a piece and if you leave that pump in there long enough you could be looking at up to $640 worth of damage for just the HLAs, not including other valvetrain damage.

Dave 

Attachment: (image/jpeg) Glacier Bkgrd.jpg [not stored]

I was told by several mechanics that the crappy HLA's won't damage anything, they are just noisy and annoying. So, if you don't feel like coughing up the $ for those lifters and/or pump, just live with it.