I will take it for a thrash for medicinal purposes at the earliest oppotunity
Though I have to say the temp doesn't seem to be an issue in everyday driving, coolant hasn't budged a mm in the 2 years I've had it now either.
Yeah could be PCV related - no issues with drivability, idle or anything normally attributed to PCV so not sure, it might be starting to go bad?
Good thinking with the rain - certainly can't rule that out, but it was a very steady tone, not like drips hitting a hot surface. Sounded a lot like either air leaking out at pressure or air leaking into a vacuum ...
Opened the bonet last night after stopping the engine and couldnt' hear the noise. Could be nothing but will be keeping an ear out in the near future. Thanks for the pointers