My 2007 Versa has 78 000 kms and I can hear "ticking" even when it's warmed up

[Driving Instructor]

SO.... I went to the dealer to voice a "concern" again.......

Why does my engine sound like this..... ticks alot and it's worst at a cold start up.

The dealer's resoponce was........ it must be "selenoids" working.... Man, can someone tell me if I have "idiot" on my forehead or is this how they deal with everyone who comes in.

I have had my oil change religiously....every 5000 to 6500 kms.

I was planning on keeping this car for 250 000 kms but at this rate, my extended waranty ends at 160 000 kms. Thinking hard of selling it.

Any feedback on the "ticking"??

[Zadkiel]

Could be the injectors, lifters or valves. Then again, he could be telling the truth also. How much experience do you have with engines? Try some injector/fuel system cleaners. If it blows up before the warrant is up blow the whistle on the dealer for not doing the most they could.

[Ever Victorious]

I don't think it's realistic to expect the engine to make NO noise, ticking could be lifters or some such. If it's still the same after warmup, it's not a lubrication issue.

I can hear my V's lifters a little if I turn off my stereo. I chalk it up to the fact that the exhaust system is so quiet, it doesn't drown out the engine. Unlike every other car I've ever owned.

Now... the trick is... is the noise you are hearing abnormal for a Versa? I'm sure, to put your mind at ease, your dealer would not mind firing up a new Versa and seeing if it makes the same noise. If it does, it's probably normal. If not, have the tech explain why two identical engines don't make the same noise (because it debunks his "solenoids" theory)

[Driving Instructor]

Thank you....... I will ask to listen to a new versa....

I am just concerned as I was hoping to get lot's of KM's out of it... and if sounds like this at 78 k, what will it sound like at ........300 ish.. lol

[Zadkiel]

I usually get ticking and mine is only 5XX miles old. I think its normal for this engine once it starts to get broken in. Whens the last time your oil was changed? Maybe its the oil losing its viscocity too. I dont usually worry. If it was something major with the engine you'd be getting the yellow letters of doom soon if not already.

[Ever Victorious]

The yellow letters of doom only tell you if there is a monitorable condition occurring. Sensors, emissions equipment, gas cap...

Valvetrain noise is rarely a fatal condition. If it were to progress to a fatal valvetrain condition, it would be accompanied by smoke coming from the tailpipe. Black, if I'm not mistaken.

If it's a noise caused by another major part of the engine, you'd probably notice blue smoke (pistons/rings), or MAJOR loss of power (rods or crank)... major as in the car would feel like it's running on only 2 or 3 cylinders.

Now, injectors were mentioned as a possible cause. I don't think the injectors themselves are likely culprits at this point, but here's a thought... RX-7's all have faulty fuel pulsation dampeners. This part of the fuel system serves basically as a "shock absorber" in the fuel system to prevent the injectors from experiencing the "water hammer" effect (similar to REALLY old homes if you turn their water off and on rapidly). It's theoretically possible that a failure in the fuel system could cause injectors to click like this, even if they're still good. Versas have tended to have problems with fuel pumps, and I was reading something on the board here recently about potential problems with fuel pressure regulators as well. Just a thought...

[my_new_v]

I too have the clicking but I only really hear it when its cold. I never thought anything of it since its still a new car/engine. Ive had 2 sentra rentals and from my understanding they have the same engine, just different sizes and both of those sentras make that ticking sound...worse than my V. And it was like Driving Instructor said, it made the sounds even when it was warmed up. So I think its just the way the engine is. But thats just my opinion. I dont know anything about these engines...

[Juelze]

I too have the clicking but I only really hear it when its cold. I never thought anything of it since its still a new car/engine. Ive had 2 sentra rentals and from my understanding they have the same engine, just different sizes and both of those sentras make that ticking sound...worse than my V. And it was like Driving Instructor said, it made the sounds even when it was warmed up. So I think its just the way the engine is. But thats just my opinion. I dont know anything about these engines...

I hear that ticking sound as well when I turn down the stereo. If you give it a little throttle (lightly) and then let off you can usually hear the little ticking sound. I believe it's normal and it's one of the reason people saying small car engines sound like sewing machines. Again, I only hear it when I get on the throttle lightly. I think EV is right that the car is so quiet you can hear the engine a lot more then on a normal car.

[my_new_v]

Yeah, EV is smart when it comes to V's

[Ever Victorious]

Yeah, EV is smart when it comes to V's

Nah, I've just broken enough crap on cars over the years that I occasionally have tidbits of floaty knowledge..

[BBISHOPPCM]

I can confirm that the noise is, indeed, the solenoids inside the injectors. There is also some light valve noise in this engine. Nothing to be worried about. When chunks of metal start bursting through the block, then, and only then, should you worry.