J30 noise under power over 35? Help please.

[pws]

First problem was at 50 MPH it would have like a grinding noise. Took it to a shop and noticed play in the driver wheel and said it was a balljoint. So I ordered a used control arm after finding out I couldn't get a new balljoint alone.

After I installed the used control arm there was alot of wheel play when moving the tire but the noise went away. It was moving still right where the balljoint bolts to the nuckel.

So I went and ordered a different control arm used. That one bolts on fine and has no play what so ever. So I test drive it and it is making the same noise the first one did. I am now wondering what it could be. This one makes the noise much faster at like 35 MPH and if you move the steering wheel to the right it gets louder and when you move it to the left it goes away.

BUT the funny part is it only makes then noise when you are putting power to the petal at speed over 35mph. Faster you go louder it gets it seems too. If you let off the gas and move the wheel or even go straight it doesn't make the noise at all....

Also I changed the outer tie-rod thinking maybe it could be making noise.. The old one was very lose and would hit each side where the new one was very stiff so wonderin if that is how the balljoint should be also?

So what could cause the noise at speeds over 35mph when giving the car power then go away. There is also vibration on the driver side.

[pws]

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e379/ ... H00855.mp4

The noise might not be coming from the tire. Can you watch that and see if you can tell what is wrong? Doesn't sound right does it?

[yodawill2000]

Sure doesn't.
Can you tell were that sound is coming from ??
Sounds like a diesel.

[texml69]

take a long piece of metal pipe put your ear to one end and put the other end on the motor and move it around until you hear it the loudest . but to me it sounds like the valve train

[yodawill2000]

3 foot section of Garden hose works as well.
I have a mechanics stethoscope from Harbor freight Uber cheap and it works very well.

[driverdriver]

Sounds like the buzz from a lawn mower.

I'm with the other guys, get yourself a mechanic's stethescope and see where the sound is coming from.

Have you checked the ECU for any codes?

[yodawill2000]

And not to scare ya but I would nail that sound down asap !!
those revs good be damaging something !

[driverdriver]

Would oil starvation somewhere, produce that sound?

[yodawill2000]

good thought Driver.
Lifters going dry or maybe the most common VTC spring being worn ??

[pws]

It almost sounds like a bad water pump. Know how a really worn water pump sounds? Thats what it sounds like. There isn't any antifreeze leaking though. There is a vibration feel on the timing belt cover it feels like.

[pws]

Also while driving if you move the wheel to the right it gets louder and when you move it back to the left it goes away while you are giving it power... So if I move right like change lanes it gets really loud and if I change lanes to the left it goes away.

[yodawill2000]

That is a bizarre symptom.
Just sitting still that sound was pretty loud.
How that could change by turning the wheel is REALLY weird.

[pws]

I can fix anything just not good at figuring out what is wrong. There is a miss pretty bad. You can hear it miss at least once a minute. I changed the oxygen sensors and have everything for a tune up and also got to do a knock sensor change out. While I was in there I was going to test the coils and the fuel injectors but I thought the wheel was the issue for the sound and I thought maybe a motor mount could of went bad so I had the gf start up the car and noticed that sound. Almost sounds like a bad bearing like a water pump. Could the water pump be on the way out and be that bad without leaking? If it was a bad bearing be the cause why it would stop making the noise when less pressure is on the belt?

[yodawill2000]

Theirs several tension/Idler pulleys on the J motor.
My AC belt pulley blew out a few years ago. Made a NASTY sound for sure.

[pws]

Wonder how much it would cost for infinity to tell me what is wrong.

[pws]

"Lifters going dry or maybe the most common VTC spring being worn "
How would I check to see if this is happening? Just pull the valve covers? What would cause it to go dry? The oil is full with no leaking anywhere.

[texml69]

where are you located at maybe we have a member close by to take a look at it but for sure get a mechanic's stethescope that will help you more then anything in finding the problem i can never find mine when i need it so i just use a long 3/8 extensions to hear. try one of the 2 and tell us where the noise is coming from

[pws]

I live in Seville, OH near Akron and Cleveland.

Ok so I been doing research and it sounds like it is the VTC sping but when I called the local dealer to get the part he said the 97 doesn't have a VTC and he doesn't show any springs listed with a 97. He said it might be built into the spocket now and if so it like $480 for it.. So does the 97 have the VTC springs? Anyone have a part number if so?

Another person said it could be a sticking lifter?

I will try and find where the sound is coming from but not much of the motor you can see.

[pws]

Ok I found the area the noise is coming from. It is coming from under the drivers side timing belt cover. It is even vibration on that side.

[yodawill2000]

Like the very top of the timing belt cover ?
That's where the VTC spring/cam gear is.

[driverdriver]

Your in Ohio right? I think Ohio has Nissan Z car club (the engine on the J3O is the same as the 300zx). I would do a google search. Chances are, that they're probaby is a competent z car club mechanic around your area. Someone from a local Z car club would know.

[pws]

Yes yoda it is right on the top of the timing cover on the drivers side timing cover. sounds like a fan if it hits the side of a fan cover almost. So the 97 does have these VTC springs? Dealer told me the 95 or before has then not the 96 and 97.. Anyone have a part number for the 97 springs if so??

[swimshark]

take off the intake system and try taking off the timing belt cover on the drivers side first. its 5mm hex heads and 8mm socket for the shorter ones. you have to unplug the cas and then just pop it off. passenger side cannot be removed with the coolant hardlines in place. then put intake back on. inspect the timing belt and make sure its ok.

when was the last time the timing belt was done and how many miles are on the motor? i keep my timing belt changed every 60k like the 300zx and at 120k you replace all the idler pulleys.

check to see how the mechanical fan is running on the water pump. i know my friend just bought a 97 J30 where the fan was not unlocking so when he accelerated it made a loud roaring noise. from the outside we said his car sounded like a vacuum cleaner so i sold him one of my good fans. i personally am running electric fans.

on the 300zx 96 and up they stopped making the motors with VTC so i would suspect that they did the same with the J motors but am not 100% certain.

how it will look with cover off. this is the motor in my 93.

[pws]

So no one knows if the 97 has these springs or not? The timing belt was done at 120k miles and it now has 190k on it. The car runs strong. Was hoping it was a simple fix.

[swimshark]

take the cover off and see what it looks like

[pws]

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e379/ ... CN4959.mp4

This is a video (not too good) of the driver side timing belt cover off with it running. Never seen one running before so not sure if the belt is normal or not. It seems to shake when you give it power like it might be lose? Not sure if that is how it should do or not. The video gives you an idea of what it is doing. Here are some pics too...





Someone told me before it might be the timing belt tensioner going bad but they just watched the video I posted on a couple weeks ago. What do you guys think?

[yodawill2000]

I would DEFINITELY replace the Belt AND the tensioner.
That slop when it slows down is scary.
This is a "Interference" engine so if the belt skips a tooth or two your engine is Toast.

[pws]

Think it is the cause of the noise? I just replaced a bad fuel injector and all the spark plugs and air filter and oil. Both lower oxygen sensors are new ect. Don't want to put alot more money into the car if something internal is bad that I won't be able to fix.

[yodawill2000]

I hear ya.
Not sure if the tensioner is the cause of the noise but there is only one way to find out !
If the belt slippes because its loose its a moot point.
The top end of the engine will be mangled instantly.

[pws]

Do I just replace the Timing Belt Tensioner or do I replace the whole Hydraulic Timing Belt Adjuster with Timing Belt Tensioner?