Auto Yaris 02 1.3 Ticking noise, fluid from exhaust

[CharishT]

Hi, new to the site so not sure if i'm posting in the right place but i bought my Yaris a couple of days ago, it's at 150,000 miles, didn't think it was a problem as i've read good things about Yaris's and wont be doing more than 5000 miles in a year. It's making a loud ticking noise and has fluid coming from the exhaust, also has a strong smell of petrol. Any ideas of what it could be?

I am pretty clueless when it comes to cars, so i don't want to take it to a garage straight away without some sort of idea of what it could be so i don't get messed about. Thanks.

[fordulike]

I'm thinking maybe one or more spark plugs has perished to the point that it's not igniting the fuel. It would make the engine run a bit lumpy and noisier.

Also it would probably be ejecting the unburnt fuel from the exhaust.

This is only an opinion, I am not an expert and I'm sure others will be along to help out soon. Is the engine running and idling normally?

[CharishT]

Yep that was the problem we think! Had my dad look at it this afternoon and he said the exact same thing. Thank you!