300zx noises

[syphon0202]

I have a 96 2+2 Z32 and the engine has been making clicking noises for a while now. I am thinking it is just lifters ticking, but I wanted to see what you guys think. Hopefully its not rod knock....

Its there when I do a could start with the car, it does eventually get quieter, although people listening to the car driving by say they hear a ticking sound. The oil and oil filter have not been changed recently, this will be happening in the next week. The check engine light is not on. It is my understanding that, if this problem were rod knock, that light would be on. Otherwise, you can hear the ticking a little more pronounced at lower rpms while accelerating, but that may just be because the engine is quieter at those lower rpms...

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give. Also I can post a video later today if needed, although all I have is my phone.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Change the oil and see if that helps. If it's just lifters, about 100 miles before your oil change, pour about 1/2 quart of ATF into the crankcase (where you usually fill the oil). Drive lightly, but not completely pussyfooting, but don't redline it either. Then drain and do a normal oil change. This will clean dirty lifters, but will not repair a collapsed lifter.

Rod knock and knocking (pinging/detonation) are two different things, and the former won't set off your CEL.

Try posting a vid, moving the phone around to different parts of the engine bay.

Use a quality oil and filter. If not Nissan OEM, Purolator PureONE and Mobil1 Extended Performance filters are very good.

[syphon0202]

Still haven't made a video yet, my phone was dead by the time I got home last night. I did listen all around the car though. If I open the hood it is much louder above the engine then it is below.