Engine Tick sound at idle

[bwilder10h]

Greetings,

I just purchased a very nice 2001 QX4 from an older couple with 76,000 miles on it. I have some work to do to the running board supports that are a complete disasster, which is amazing because the vehicle is completely rust free elsewhere.

So my question is the vehicle has a squeal when cold until it warms up (which I assume is a belt that needs to be replaced or tension adjusted) and once it gets warm, has a constant tick, tick, tick sound when stopped at a red light and also in park when I pull in the garage when I get home. Strangely the ticking sound doesn't happen when it's cold.

Just some history on the issue... the vehicle uses no oil and doesn't seem to be down on power at all. I have read some scary posts regarding power valve screws and intend to check those soon but I'm pretty confident the two are not related. I've been through a few tanks of premium fuel and a bottle of injector cleaner so not sure it's a sticking injector... but not certain. I would think it would make the noise all the time if that were the case..?

Thanks,
Brian

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO.

The injectors are fairly loud on our engines. My Pathfinder has noticeable ticking at hot idle from the injectors. You probably can't hear it on a cold start because of the higher idle.

For the squeal, tighten your belt - it needs to be very tight to avoid noise. If it doesn't help, replace the belt.

[bwilder10h]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know. Are the injectors loud enough that you can hear standing outside the vehicle with it running and also inside with the windows up when at a red light?

[Towncivilian]

Outside standing around the engine bay yes, but inside? No. It should not be that loud.

Which specific fuel system cleaner did you use? Do you know what oil filter is installed on the vehicle?

[bwilder10h]

Yes when I'm stopped at a red light, with the radio off I can definitely hear it loud and clear. I dont recall the brand of injector cleaner I used but think it was like STP or one of the major brands at Wally World.

I will have to check the oil filter when I get home. The previous owner had the oil changed at the dealer the day before I got it.

[Towncivilian]

Get some Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner or Gumout Regane. Those two contain PEA and will actually clean things, unlike the kerosene that comprises all the other cheapo "fuel system cleaners". Techron is usually buy one get one free at one of the auto parts chains every month.

[Leo1998]

Small exhaust leak will give you a tic tic tic sound and may you not hear it when driving but at idle you would. If you want to listen to the injectors get a piece of garden hose or similar, stick one end to your ear and the other end on the injector or around the engine compartment to find the ticking sound. Let us know what you find.

[bwilder10h]

Thanks for all the help so far. I did get some techron fuel injector cleaner and put it in about a 100 miles ago. Doesn't seem to have changed anything.

I also got a piece of hose and went over the engine with it running. Wasn't able to narrow the noise down much, other than to say it's the loudest when I slip the hose in under the intake manifold. I wasn't able to get to the injectors very well with the hose, so still not sure what the actual issue is. If you have any other thoughts, please pass them on. It's rather annoying.

[Leo1998]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM5vqBVRHuM

Does it sound like that? Read comment too.

[bwilder10h]

Sounds familiar but not quite that loud. It's also odd that mine doesn't do it when cold but when it warms up, you can hear the tick inside as well... and you can't on this video. Maybe there is something to that IAC valve that is related. Hate to throw parts at it though...

Thanks for posting

[Leo1998]

Could you get a recording for us to hear? Might help.

[bwilder10h]

Ok, so apologies in advance for the poor quality from my phone but it's the best I have at the moment.

You have to turn the volume up to hear it but you can hear the tick inside and then when I get out, you hear it as well. Hard to hear in the garage over the other noises the engine makes but it's there...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWtYexSiLz8

[donald]

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I've never heard power screws rattling in the cylinder, but what about the ignition coil packs?
It's more like a "knocking", than a tick.
Perhaps you have the AC on? or a loose/bad mount?

does the knock/tick follow RPM?
what maintenance have you done on the engine since you got it? water pump? belts? fluids?

[bwilder10h]

It does sound more like a knock, I do agree. The A/C was off.

The strange thing is it only seems to happen at idle and when the engine is hot. When you first start it up, you don't hear the tick (or knock) until the engine gets up to full temp. The engine doesn't seem to be down on power and I don't hear the noise increase as RPM goes up either.

One thing i did notice is it seems the loudest right on top of the engine in the intake manifold area.

In terms of maintenance, the truck has 76k on it and has had all the dealer service done up to this point. I just ordered all the gaskets last night to check the power valve screws soon. I'm replacing the belts and spark plugs as well.

[prognxt]

I've been lurking quite a lot until now.

I have this same problem, based off of the video that OP posted, it sounds like I have the same noise.

I'd be eternally grateful just to find out what exactly this noise is.

You can barely hear the ticking when the hood is down, but it's audible when you lift the hood. It's quite unsettling knowing all of the potential issues this may cause.

[bwilder10h]

I've been lurking quite a lot until now.

I have this same problem, based off of the video that OP posted, it sounds like I have the same noise.

I'd be eternally grateful just to find out what exactly this noise is.

You can barely hear the ticking when the hood is down, but it's audible when you lift the hood. It's quite unsettling knowing all of the potential issues this may cause.

I wish I had an answer for you but it still does it.

I pulled the intake to check the power valves and fix a leaking valve cover but the sound still persists and none of the valves were loose. Would really like to get rid of the tick. Mine is very loud and you can hear it in the garage when wife pulls in. Very tempted to try to sell at this point for this specific reason but not sure who would buy it sounding like this...

[prognxt]

I went around, and did some research.

The ticking is too loud for it to be an injector, and it still comes from the top of the engine. According to a local mechanic, whom I've known for a long time, he claims it's just a noisy lifter. Our VQ35DE's have hydraulic lifters for each valve. In the event the lifter gets worn out, doesn't get enough oil, or gets filled with sludge, it will make the ticking sound. The quickest remedy typically is to fill it with some oil additive to see if you can flush any sludge out of the lifter (if that is the case.) Otherwise, you simply have to pull the head and replace the lifters. According to some VQ35DE Altima owners, a local mechanic typically charges $300-$400 just to replace all the lifters.

My local mechanic also said the lifters don't really have any sort term effect, aside from the noise and increased oil consumption. My uncle even said he had an old Dodge 6.0 liter that he put 100,000 miles on with a noisy valve lifter. However, long term effects are typically known to destroy the catalytic converters from increased oil consumption, and increased wear on the spark-plugs from the oil. The extreme long-term effect is running the risk of throwing a rod.

I put some oil additive (albeit I don't remember what it was) that a gentlemen at Napa recommended me.(I also changed the oil when I did this) It specifically says "for noisy lifters" on the additive bottle. He said it will take 500 or so miles before the additive should quiet the lifters down. I haven't gone 500 miles, but I will report back to this thread with my results.

Some other people with noisy lifters also recommend Marvel Mystery Oil, or straight synthetic ATF. ATF has some detergent like properties that REALLY clean out sludge, and MMO is similar to ATF. ATF or MMO is supposed to yield immediate results, as in you run it for a day or two, and the ticking is gone. However you run the risk of damaging other components in the engine from the properties of ATF and MMO fluid. Thus is why I went with what Napa offered. If you go to Napa Auto-parts, they'll likely recommend you the same thing I bought, as well as additional helpful information.

Cheers,
prognxt.

EDIT: Just for clarification, fuel injectors are typically so quiet you literally have to be RIGHT next to them to hear them.
EDIT 2: Sound is only audible at a 'hot' idle, and originates directly above the valve cover.

[starbai]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I just picked up a 2002 Pathfinder tonight and its got this ticking sound i want to tackle and figure out. I'm not planning on keeping it toooo long so I dont think im' gonna go the route of replacing the lifters... but did your oil additives fix the problem at all ? musta done 500 miles by now! lol