[Cobrajet67]

You didn't mention how many miles are on it.
However, I owned a high mileage(171k) 2012 for 50k miles and currently own a 2013 with over 112k on it and I hear no such sound. My nephew's 2014 also makes no such sound either with like 85k on it.

Take off the accessory belt and start it to see if the sound goes away or not. That'll let you know if it's an internal or external engine issue. The other thing that's an in between would be the timing chain/guides: 2014 FORD FOCUS 2.0L L4 Engine | RockAuto

I'd get a quality mechanic's stethoscope like the Lisle 52500 to pin down where exactly it's coming from.

 

[BlackwaterDSM]

You didn't mention how many miles are on it.
However, I owned a high mileage(171k) 2012 for 50k miles and currently own a 2013 with over 112k on it and I hear no such sound. My nephew's 2014 also makes no such sound either with like 85k on it.

Take off the accessory belt and start it to see if the sound goes away or not. That'll let you know if it's an internal or external engine issue. The other thing that's an in between would be the timing chain/guides: 2014 FORD FOCUS 2.0L L4 Engine | RockAuto

I'd get a quality mechanic's stethoscope like the Lisle 52500 to pin down where exactly it's coming from.

Purchased at 107k miles, now has 115k miles. That was gonna be my next task, taking the belt off to see if it’s still there. I do have a mechanics stethoscope and poked around a bit, but the sound was nearly the same in all areas near the timing cover. Sounded most pronounced near the upper area of the timing cover, so perhaps its the timing chain/guides. Thank you so much for the link! Gonna have to just dig into it this weekend. 😎👍🏻

 

[Cobrajet67]

Purchased at 107k miles, now has 115k miles. That was gonna be my next task, taking the belt off to see if it’s still there. I do have a mechanics stethoscope and poked around a bit, but the sound was nearly the same in all areas near the timing cover. Sounded most pronounced near the upper area of the timing cover, so perhaps its the timing chain/guides. Thank you so much for the link! Gonna have to just dig into it this weekend. 😎👍🏻

I hope that it's not the timing parts. I believe that'll require special tools and it'll take a lot of care and time to complete. It'll probably be a pita to do going from what I've read.