Engine ticking, timing belt?

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gangstar946
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:32 pm
Car: 1997 Infiniti J30

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Hi, My name is Ahmed, im new to the J30 forum. I had a few questions regarding the J30 i just bought.

When i start it in the morning it makes a rattling noise..like a worn chain maybe, but it goes away once ITS warmed up. problem is its been sold at an auction twice and its got 110k on it. ive been to local shops but i dont trust them at all. so i did what i could on my own...so far ive done the pulley belts, spark plugs and fuel filter. here's some pics of the timing belt....i want to know if its good or not..im not a mechanic so i opened up what i could...also the ticking noise..could be a possible knock...i can still pull to 120+ smoothly.

thanking you,

Ahmed











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Infinitiguy19
Posts: 7787
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 4:58 pm
Car: 1993 Infiniti Q45 188580 Miles
1994 Infiniti Q45a 240000 Miles

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To me it sound like a lifter making that ticking noise and when the engine and oil warm up it goes away because the oil expands. So change the oil, maybe to semi synthetic of full synthetic if you think the seals and gaskets have been replaced other wise your engine will leak.

Welcome to NICO
Modified by ppastos at 12:52 AM 10/13/2008

kbflip02
Posts: 837
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Car: 1994 Infiniti J30
2006 Infiniti G35x
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valve solenoids.

coolyun_98
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:29 pm
Car: 1993 J30 11,7000kM

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Our J and 300zx are very sensitive to "engine varnish". Varnish is the thin and brownish film of oxidized engine oil that sticks to the engine parts.

Varnish is bad for J and 30zx's engines (VG30DE) because

1) It will prevent hydualic lifer from reaching its proper height. Thus causing camshafts to slap against the lifers and making a tapping noise.2) It will prevent the VVT solenoid from reaching its designed actuation.

While BG Quick clean can somewhat clean out the varnish, but it is not the cure. The key is to change engine oil EVERY 90 days. Very important.

My personal experience:2 months ago I finished changing all hydralic lifers and VTC solenoids due to loud tapping noise. The previous owner only changed oil every year (the car was not drivern a lot). Guess what I found when I removed the VTC solenoids and the lifters... a good layer of varnish! AND THAT WAS AFTER I FLUSHED THE ENGINE WITH BG QUICK CLEAN BEFORE I TOOK APART THE ENGINE.

gangstar946
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:32 pm
Car: 1997 Infiniti J30

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yeh i also had the same kind of previous owner. put less than 10k a year on it....its a 1997 J30 and EVERYTHING was original on this car when i bought it couple weeks ago at @ 110k. thats pretty bad. so whats the next thing to do. I mean i cant do it myself. and where can i i get those parts? also since i bought it...its hard to start....im sure because it sat for most of its life...when i start it...the car shakes side to side...engine is trying to crank...then starts fine.

thanking you

Ahmed

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yodawill2000
Posts: 3888
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:10 pm
Car: 94 Infiniti J30
Location: Grand Prairie TEXAS

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At 110 K its time for a timing belt.It snaps an the motor is toast.

gr8scott72
Posts: 1220
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:37 pm
Car: 1994 Infiniti J30t

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yodawill2000 wrote:At 110 K its time for a timing belt.It snaps an the motor is toast.
If my 93 (non kevlar) belt went over 180k miles and was still fine how far you think he can go on that kevlar belt?

coolyun_98
Posts: 313
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:29 pm
Car: 1993 J30 11,7000kM

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It seems to me that the previous driver did not maintain the J well. You may want to

1) change timing belt and all fluids and filters2) clean MAF3) change 02 sensors (02 sensors will give lazy output after 60k miles)4) clean throttle bodies

5) flush the engine using WEAKEST chmical first. I will do:Change engine oil and filter add BG quick clean + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsChange engine oil and filter add BG Compression restoration + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsChange engine oil and filter add 1/2 bottle BG Engine Pruge + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsRepeat wit hthe BG engine purge again.

Add BG 44k to gas tank and Drive for a week and Change engine oil and filter again.

You need to watch out for low oil pressure during the flush. The above procedure is by no means a cure. It will at least restore some problems related to engine deposit.

Watch out for main bearing wear. As this is somewhat common is the VG engine.


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yodawill2000
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:10 pm
Car: 94 Infiniti J30
Location: Grand Prairie TEXAS

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gr8scott72 wrote:
If my 93 (non kevlar) belt went over 180k miles and was still fine how far you think he can go on that kevlar belt?
hehe

They always look fine right before they snap !!!

gr8scott72
Posts: 1220
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:37 pm
Car: 1994 Infiniti J30t

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coolyun_98 wrote:It seems to me that the previous driver did not maintain the J well. You may want to

1) change timing belt and all fluids and filters2) clean MAF3) change 02 sensors (02 sensors will give lazy output after 60k miles)4) clean throttle bodies

5) flush the engine using WEAKEST chmical first. I will do:Change engine oil and filter add BG quick clean + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsChange engine oil and filter add BG Compression restoration + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsChange engine oil and filter add 1/2 bottle BG Engine Pruge + BG MOA.Let the engine idle for 20~30minsRepeat wit hthe BG engine purge again.

Add BG 44k to gas tank and Drive for a week and Change engine oil and filter again.

You need to watch out for low oil pressure during the flush. The above procedure is by no means a cure. It will at least restore some problems related to engine deposit.

Watch out for main bearing wear. As this is somewhat common is the VG engine.
Look into Auto-RX also. Good stuff.

driverdriver
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Welcome to NICO!!!

Is the rattling sound always at startup or absent sometimes?

I'm going to hedge a bet your flywheel is missing teeth. A very common age related problem. You need a new flywheel and while your at it replace the starter.

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yodawill2000
Posts: 3888
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:10 pm
Car: 94 Infiniti J30
Location: Grand Prairie TEXAS

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That wouldn't be an issue after its started though.Sounds like it ticks till its warmed up.

kbflip02
Posts: 837
Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:58 am
Car: 1994 Infiniti J30
2006 Infiniti G35x
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gangstar946 wrote:yeh i also had the same kind of previous owner. put less than 10k a year on it....its a 1997 J30 and EVERYTHING was original on this car when i bought it couple weeks ago at @ 110k. thats pretty bad. so whats the next thing to do. I mean i cant do it myself. and where can i i get those parts? also since i bought it...its hard to start....im sure because it sat for most of its life...when i start it...the car shakes side to side...engine is trying to crank...then starts fine.

thanking you

Ahmed
if your needing parts call kyle @ import parts pro...he runs a shop out of spring...its kinda far but very worth the drive...no one else in houston can beat his prices

gangstar946
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:32 pm
Car: 1997 Infiniti J30

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yeah ive heard of that guy...for now....the j is in the dark..in the garage, driving the camry. im a college student and part time chef...so..i probably wont be going to kyle anytime soon. my budget is 3k, its really not much. to cut the red tape, i bought the j because when I saw your j,i just fell in love wit it. i even bought the ud kit!. im sure no one else has a j quite like yours. im sure its not all that bad under the hood, but that ticking noise is coming from the right inner cam..where the oil cap is. overall i got a good deal, paint, interior is like new, paid 2800 for it.

thanking youAhmed


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