Engine ticking noise and oil level

[JReask]

I have a rather odd situation with my QX4. AFTER I shut it off I wait thirty minutes and check the oil. IT is at the L level on the stick after thirty minutes. IF I let it sit overnight, it reads only about a quarter of an inch below the full mark. Evidently it takes a long time for the oil to drain down from the top of the engine. I also have a question about engine noise. I can't really tell if it is the injectors making the "ticking" noise or valve noise. It is NOT intermittent. It happens all the time and it is not any different if the truck is cold or warmed up. I have owned other imports that have the "sewing machine" tick but this seems a lot louder. Can anyone else tell me if their VQ35 is a little on the noisy side at idle?

I forgot to mention that I own a 2002 QX4. 102K miles
TIA

JR

[Chuck Tribolet]

I haven't noticed the fluctuation of oil level over time. I'm due for a level check, and I can run an experiment
if it ever quits raining.

No noise at at idle, except a little lifter noise the first few seconds after fire-up. Truck does have 192,000 miles.

[JReask]

I would be interested in your findings. NO lifter or injector noise at all ?

Thanks

[fleurys]

up to now, I have read 2 causes of ticking noise for the vq at idle. One is the lack of oil (this noise you can ear it at startup like chuck said), the other, unfortunately, is related to power valve screws. IS your qx4 automatic ?... if so I would take 2 hours and check (or ask a mechanic) if all the screws are there. check the pinned topic about those... and let us know your findings...

[JReask]

The oil is full. I just finished checking the power valve screws last weekend. Most of them were very tight. There were two that I could turn with my fingers. I removed them all and then loctited them into place. This ticking is most probably the injectors, according to some "mechanics" that have heard it run. I have a 2009 Mustang with 18K on it and it has a similar tick and it's going to the dealer next week after I return it to stock and remove the cold air intake.

I don't know if you guys have ever heard a Toyota 4 cylinder run, but they sound a lot like my QX4.

Thanks again
JR

[Chris.m]

This ticking is most probably the injectors, according to some "mechanics" that have heard it run. I have a 2009 Mustang with 18K on it and it has a similar tick and it's going to the dealer next week after I return it to stock and remove the cold air intake.

I don't know if you guys have ever heard a Toyota 4 cylinder run, but they sound a lot like my QX4.

Thanks again
JR

Did you ever fix the problem or are just living with it?

My Pathy burns no oil and all the Power Valve screws were there.. I'm thinking of seafoaming it and see what happens

[Towncivilian]

My VQ35 ticks at idle, service adviser said injectors. It burns no oil and power valve screws are all tight and accounted for (and threadlocked).

[Chris.m]

So I guess its the injectors themselves and not just the nozzels?

[starbai]

any updates? I'm going to check the screws... but I've been reading that some say you need to change the lifters?

[Qxx4]

It may be this ticking noise which i also have check it this video out

https://youtu.be/JatIzylsVVA

[starbai]

yeap that sounds like it just way better than mine is doing right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yYkSH5nAcU