Crackling static "Pop Rocks" sound from engine?
 

2012 Civic LX Automatic, 175k miles

Starting yesterday I have had an intermittent (not constant) noise coming from my engine area. Randomly when cruising I begin to hear this crackling / fizzing noise that kind of sounds like a mix of Pop Rocks and a light tin can being dragged along the sidewalk mixed with radio static.. it's not a clanging or rattle noise, more of a crackling sound like a fizz.

For anyone not familiar with Pop Rocks, this is pretty much what the sound is like mixed with what sounds like radio static:
It comes and goes, sometimes in quick 1-second bursts and other times lasts for 30 seconds and purely stops.

No check engine light. Any ideas what this could be?

Also it's not my radio or speakers, I turned off the audio and the noise didn't change. Definitely coming from somewhere around my engine. My girlfriend thinks near the passenger side but not 100% sure.

Thanks

Re: Crackling static "Pop Rocks" sound from engine?
 

Sounds like fluid leak. Crackling on passenger side might be a power steering hose leak. Look for any steam or smoke and oil like smell. Also heater hose leak of coolant. Might be leaking on to the exhaust and that would be the pop rocks noise your describing. Just a thought!

Re: Crackling static "Pop Rocks" sound from engine?
 

Where did you get your last tank full of gas ??? Sounds like detonation/knock to me based on what you have described. Filling the car up with Premium Unleaded will stop the noise if bad gas is the problem.