Can't Figure Out The Ticking!

[chnco]

Well, I've been trying to diagnose my ticking and it's driving me crazy. Car is a '95 J30 with 153k miles. The car drives fine, no loss of power, no smoke, no leaking, etc. But there is a ticking noise that is very audible and follows the speed of the RPM's. My first thought is a lifter that is stuck

I've tried using ATF and changing the oil. I also tried marvel mystery oil with no avail. What else could it be? From my understanding, it could be VTC Solenoid or timing chain tensioner. Does anyone know how I can confirm this, or is it really my lifters. I can hear it on the front side of the engine and can physically feel it as well when I Put my hand on the intake manifold. Thanks guys!!

[1994 infiniti j30 190+]

Well, I've been trying to diagnose my ticking and it's driving me crazy. Car is a '95 J30 with 153k miles. The car drives fine, no loss of power, no smoke, no leaking, etc. But there is a ticking noise that is very audible and follows the speed of the RPM's. My first thought is a lifter that is stuck

I've tried using ATF and changing the oil. I also tried marvel mystery oil with no avail. What else could it be? From my understanding, it could be VTC Solenoid or timing chain tensioner. Does anyone know how I can confirm this, or is it really my lifters. I can hear it on the front side of the engine and can physically feel it as well when I Put my hand on the intake manifold. Thanks guys!!

injectors tick alot could be all your hearing. use a screwdriver and put it on the injector with your ear on the other and you should be able to feel the ticking on your ear and hear it. all cars tend to tick. my car has lifter tick and put in synthetic oil it helped quite it down alot but considering you put in all sorts of stuff lifters shouldnt be your issue.

[chnco]

Not sure if the injectors would tick this loud. The car sounds like a diesel honestly, lol. I heard 20w50 helps, haven't tried that yet.

[swimshark]

try this stuff

http://www.z1motorsports.com/product_in ... ts_id=2476

it helped with my friends 300zxTT and my lifter tick a little. other than that you will hear the audible noise of the injectors and the lifters a little bit naturally.

[GerryO]

Do you know if your intake cam gears original (non-VTC) or if the springs and o-rings have ever been replaced? Read this:

http://www.importpartspro.com/bdeupvtcinca.html

Oil pressure is OK?

[driverdriver]

The VTC solenoid is the most common culprit. It always starts off as ticking.

[yodawill2000]

Wasn't there a post awhile back about replacing the VTC solenoid spring awhile back ??
Seemed like a simple procedure and took the slop out of the assembly, stopping the ticking.

[chnco]

Does anyone have the link to the VTC Solenoid fix?

[Gerardjg]

A load ticking is what I had when my oil pickup tube was clogged but I occasionally got the low oil psi light flickering very dimly.
You may want to check your Oil Pressure.

[colincliff2]

chnco- Is it a ticking or more of a rattling sound? Does it go away when revved above 1200 RPM or so? Check to see if it is coming from the upper front of the engine right behind the timing covers.
If it's a diesel-like rattling coming from the front upper part of the engine below ~1200rpm, it's likely the VTC sprockets. I've done some research on this and the only sure way to fix is to replace both intake cam sprockets. Some people have had luck replacing the little springs on the front of the cam gears (just under the timing cover), but no guarantees.

[swimshark]

how many miles are on the motor? when is the last time you have had a timing belt done? when i do my timing belt every 60k i replace the vtc springs as well.

[yodawill2000]

A "How to" on the VTC sprocket springs would be stellar.
I had a shortcut saved on computer that crashed.

[yodawill2000]

Found it !!

Difficulty : EASY!

Time : 30mins give or take if done properly.

Tools : Quarter inch socket with a 7mm socket / Allen key

New Springs, come as a pack of 2.



First off you need to remove the timing belt covers, using an Allen key.



To remove the driver's one you need to remove the water inlet pipe that goes to the block (the bottom one) also secured by Allen bolts.
It hides 2 bolts behind the pipe that secure the timing belt cover on.


You then need to remove the metal plates over the intake cam gears, held in by 4 7mm bolts.
The plate is under pressure from the spring, so as you back the bolts off get some one to hold the plate down as you unscrew them, that way the bolts won't go flying out and get lost in your engine bay.
Once you get them lose just undo them by hand just so you don't drop them.


There will be a bit of oil in there, nothing to worry about.


Next insert the new spring into its home,


Next go get your helper, and put the plate over the back of the spring, making sure not to pinch the O ring seal with the spring.

Line up the holes on the plate with the ones on the gear and then get some one to push it down, while you put the screws in.


I did them up in a diagonal pattern to keep the tension even all round, didn't want there to be a chance the spring could bend to one side etc...

There you go.. done !

[swimshark]

unless youre doing a timing belt you might as well replace the lower small coolant lines as well since you have to remove the hard pipes to get to the passenger side vtc gear.

[J30_Kidd]

Oyyy wish i would of know to replace those when i did my timing belt and engine work this past year.. :-(

[urbanproduction]

Hello,

I have the ticking noise coming from the timing belt area. I have a 1994 J30.

I am having trouble locating the springs by themselves. I called my local Infiniti dealer and everythinginfiniti.com. Both don't seem to have them.

It is a 94 so I want to confirm that it even has vtc. Then if somebody could give me a part number or a better name to ask for than VTC solenoid spring it would help me greatly in my search.

I found these for the 300 but it says 89-93 and is also for the 300 http://www.ztune.ca/product.aspx?produc ... 03ff00e495

Thanks in advance.

[driverdriver]

You cannot only buy the spring, you have to purchase the whole VTC solenoid part. Unfortunatly, my old parts sheet doesn't have the number for the VTC solenoid.

[GerryO]

Believe you need these, or something very similar, if you have a VTC motor:


http://www.courtesyparts.com/13042u-sea ... 16405.html

and these:


http://www.courtesyparts.com/13070h-spr ... 16409.html

That are also sold as part of this or similar kits, which probably can be had for less.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/bundle-120 ... 7651_7696&

You might first want to try adding about half a quart of Castrol 20/50 Synthetic Blend motor oil.