Clicking sound! (not the timing chain)

[Kenrik]

I have a clicking sound coming from the engine whenever I rev it (it almost goes away idle) also it's not the timing chain because I just had that replaced. the sound is coming from drivers side of the engine I can hear the clicking sound coming from the dash (almost sounds like the guages are making the sound from the inside but if you're under the hood you know it's not) I heard something about lifters?... (I did do a search) HELP!!

BTW 89, 240sx (Coupe) KA24E SOHC

Also I just checked and when the oil was changed they put in way to much! could that be what is causing this? the oil was changed about 1500 miles ago but the noise just started
Modified by Kenrik at 6:32 PM 8/6/2005

[kapower06]

Yes Its most likely the lifters... Mine used to do the same thing... BTW the oil on the dip stick should be bout half way between low and full... If letting a little oil out doesnt solve the problem then you'll most likely need new lifters. I just sent mine to DeviousKA to do the soild conversion on them. They are audible but nothing like a collapsed hydro. lifter...

[Kenrik]

it's like 1/3 an inch PAST the Overfill line.... I'm mad that they overfilled it that much because it was at the same time I had my timeing chain done they did a complete flush of the system... really how hard is it to put in the correct amount of oil! makes me question the quality of the work

[Kenrik]

hmm changed the oil with Synthtec 5w 30 and a bosh filter... still makes the noise how much oil does a 240 take? I put in 4 quarts but it's hard to tell how full it is with the dipstick because the synthetic oil is so clear!

I really don't get it because the car still drives just like it did before the noise started... no loss in power I just don't want to blow my head! and no that's not sexual inuendo Lol

[Dattebayo]

Yeah it is! haha

Also, you may have a simple exhaust shield rattle. Try grabbing the various different exhaust shields on the manifold and the lower pipe with a pair of pliers while someone pulls the throttle cable (to rev the motor) and pull on it to see if the noise changes at all.

If you hear the noise change at all, pull the shield off or try to re-secure it. Rust really eats the connectors apart under the car...

[Kenrik]

If it were the lifters it would be making the noise 100% of the time right? see the strange thing is if I hold my car a constant speed it does not make the noise... if I go faster... or I take my foot off the gas it makes the noise... !?!?!?!??!

[Dattebayo]

Did you try the exhaust thingy? You know if that isnt it, you probably just have the famous KA timing chain rattle! If so, ignore it. All KA's will do this at some point in their lives.

[Kenrik]

Nope not the chain.. I said in my post that the chain was fixed/replaced within 1000 miles. I did find out what it was I had a leak in the exhaust hose that used to goes to the AIV with every rev it was shooting out puffs of air that was hitting the metal cover for the exhaust and making the clicking noise!

[R.I.P._Racing]

Ok I have a 96 and just did a full work out to get it to shut the hell up. 1st remove the top chain guide 2nd make sure the oil is at the right level so that the tensioner is working right ( it runs off oil pressure ) you might have to work it back and forth to get it to loosen up if it is stuck. 3rd replace all exhaust gaskets 4th take off all the heat shields and wrap the pipes. Now my car is quite all you hear is the exhast hope any of this will help?

[Kenrik]

Thanks yeah... I had already found the problem it was an exhaust leak.. I did take off the heat shields before you even said that I still need to wrap them so i'm not putting hot air into my hood.. The timing chain was just done like 1000 miles ago so no issue there... my car is super quiet now all I can hear is the exhaust.. she runs smooth as silk to but... I thought a felt a lil clutch slipage today oh well excuse for a racing clutch and Findanza fly wheel

[lofapoo]

Does the sound get louder when you rev higher, but the noise isn't constant?

My SOHC KA has been making a noise you've described for quite some time now and it hasn't gotten better nor worse nor has it make the motor suffer any from it, but it's F**KING ANNOYING!

I have my AIV removed but the hoses (metal one coming from manifold and rubber one leading to AIV) is still there just blocked off. Can you explain where the leak was so I can get an idea of where to look? Damn I'd love to get rid of that noise! Thanks

[Kenrik]

the rubber hose from the exhaust that went to the AIV had a leak (the one that hooks upto the metal one)

[lofapoo]

How'd you go about solving the issue?

I'd love to get rid of the metal hose entirely but have no idea how to block it off at the manifold.

[Kenrik]

I just pluged the rubber hose with a steel ball... as far as getting rid of the metal pipe.. cut it off and weld a lil patch on..

[Slipstream]

I have the same problem your having on my ka24de. I also saw a puff of smoke, but it was coming from the connection between the down pipe and the cat. I was thinking about replacing the whole exhaust system. Know a decent brand at a reasonable price?

[lofapoo]

BRM

[dickie]

Kenrick im digging your post back up because i have a similar noise but ONLY DURING IDLE. when i rev even the slightest amount, it goes away. sounds like its coming from the intake manifold side between the 1st and 2nd injectors, but its not injector noise. it sounds like a long click, like plastic dragging. theres no metal chain noise either.

i have had a few opinions from armchair mechanics but i dont want to do anything until i get some more info.

1st - im thinking its the chain guides that were never removed per nissans tsb.

2nd - someone said the word lifters, but wouldnt it keep making the noise at higher revs?

3rd - water pump. dont know about this one, the receipts from the p.o. indicated it was professionally replaced a few months before i bought the car.

my shop doesnt open until monday and unless i skip some school i cant get it there until friday. please help me diagnose this problem

[Kenrik]

Sounds like the timing chain to me.... that is just how mine sounded before I fixed it. I say take of the valve cover and do a visual inspection of the chain... look at the guides and also look at the tensioner

[dickie]

can i drive it in the meantime?

[Kenrik]

Should last a few K miles doing that but it will at some point eat into your coolant system and drop coolant into the oil... and well your engine will be ****ed... you should get it fixed... I say do it yourself or you're looking at a $600+ shop bill

[vvaffle]

While on this topic, weren't the upper timing chain guides recalled by nissan as unnecessary? If so, shouldn't a dealer have to do this for free?

[Kenrik]

I don't think it was a recall I thought it was a TSB?

[dickie]

kenrick, it WAS a tsb, and im skipping school monday to get it looked at. i am hoping its just the upper guides, as the mechanic im taking it to said that was probly the case.

thanks for the help guys!