Sounds normal, the #3 cylinder exhaust cam followers look normal .

 

I took the car for a quick drive tonight, and it was making the ticking noise through all the rpms I drove it at (up to about 3500 rpm). I checked for the sound using a stethoscope and it seems to be coming from the water pump. I guess putting the water pump in an ultrasonic cleaner might've destroyed the bearings

 

I guess I'll be replacing the water pump again. Hopefully the tensioner doesn't ratchet again like last time...

 

I’d suggest you change the timing chain and balance shaft chain with the water pump. Less chance of the tensioner issue and having to do the job twice!

 

Water pump bearing? Ignore it (until you can’t.)

Acknowledging that this may have been covered in the previous 200 comments, but if so, worth revising; that area could be an exhaust leak. The exhaust manifold is known to crack. I might be inclined to ignore a tiny exhaust leak too.

 

Which type of water pump is installed? One has a plastic impeller one has a metal impeller; I think the plastic one is glued to the shaft. Some have found it spinning freely.
Why would anyone consider ultrasonic cleaning a water pump? What sort of dirt could be on it?
If you use the sprocket holding tool there is no danger of the tensioner ratcheting. No need to remove the chain cover.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...acement-56476/

 

Not sure what I was thinking when I put it in the ultrasonic cleaner... It was filled with the coolant-oil mixture and I was trying to get it all off.
I'll try to change the pump with the tool again, worst-case scenario it ratchets again and I just have to reset the tensioner

 

I don't know how the tensioner is involved if you use the tool correctly.

 

Some tools don’t go all the way into the water pump sprocket, there’s about a 1/4 “ space with mine. I don’t use it anymore, just change the Timing chain and balance shaft chain. But that’s me.

 

I don’t understand how an ultrasonic cleaner could harm a bearing.