tapping noise?

Post by **dkdeleon** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

man I have a tapping noise coming from some where under the valve cover , It only taps when it is reving to chang gears.I retorque the valve clamps and it quite down a little but not totally cane any one help? any help would be kick ***.by the way it's a KA24DE 1991 automatic (I know, automatic ha! ha!) any way HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **yellow_jacket** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

If you have a tapping under the valve cover it could either be the lifters or the timing chain.

Tightening the valve cover will not do anything helpful. About all it will do is overstress the bolts and either break them or strip them.

Post by **dkdeleon** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

yellow_jacket wrote:If you have a tapping under the valve cover it could either be the lifters or the timing chain.

Tightening the valve cover will not do anything helpful. About all it will do is overstress the bolts and either break them or strip them.

You must have misunderstood me, I tightened the valve clamps not the cover. also I checked the timing chane and thats not it, any other suggestions???? thanx for the reply

Post by **Sygerwulf** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

it only does it when you rev the engine? it doesn't do it when it's just sitting still?

Post by **dkdeleon** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

yes it does it only when I rev up

Post by **yellow_jacket** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

What are you referring to as valve clamps? The valves are held in place by a retaining clip on top of the springs. That can't be tightened. On top of the spring are the lifters. On top of the lifters are the cams. Did you tighten the bolts that hold down the cams? In broader terms, there is no such thing as valve clamps so what did you tighten.

There is nothing under the valve cover that you can tighten to make a ticking go away.

It sounds like you either have lifter noise, a loose chain(I don't know how you checked it so I won't comment on that) or a rod bearing is going.

Any other rattles in the car are going to be too specific to your car to diagnose without hearing it.

Post by **dkdeleon** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

sorry yes it was the bolts that hold down the cams

Post by **RedShred** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

Judging only by what you say... sounds like oil deficiency and the lifters are rattling...

what yearmilesmiles between oil change/wt of oil.Does the rattle occur when the engine is under load revving up or when revved up with no load.borrow a oil pressure gauge and check to see what oil pressure you get.

Post by **bj180sx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

my guess is lifter but my the tap usually goes away when revved. How many miles does you chain have on it????

Post by **Nismo1182** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

Is the top timing chain guide still on? If so, you dont need it, remove it and see if it gets rid of the problem.

Post by **danton84** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

I had a tapping underneath the valve cover of my '90 240sx. I mean this was really loud. It was the lifters, but if was so lound it sounded like I had spun a bearing. I put some of that lifter and valve quieting fluid in it and it helped alot. Also try running some thicker oil- depending on the condition and milage of your engine. Mine has about 100,000 mi.- use 10w-40. This and the quieting fluid should help with the tapping.

Post by **bmxruler4130** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

if you remove the upper timing chain wont that make the noise louder? chain flopping around?

Post by **evoworx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

i have the same blasted problem! the mechanic says it's valves and i have to pay 45 per valve plus labor. i have to replace 12 valves and altogether, that's like 540 just for parts alone! i was thinking about replacing the engine itself or find a used head and swap it out. is there any place that sells valves for cheaper than 45 per unit? i'm an idiot with this so i do know whether to get the job done or just drive with this blasted clicking.. any help? suggestions? 89 240sx fastback109kpaid 1500:D

Post by **Structure240sx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

i remember seeing somewhere that the dealer wanted like 17 per valve for one side then like 10 or 12 for the other side.

Post by **Nismo1182** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

evoworx wrote:i have the same blasted problem! the mechanic says it's valves and i have to pay 45 per valve plus labor. i have to replace 12 valves and altogether, that's like 540 just for parts alone! i was thinking about replacing the engine itself or find a used head and swap it out. is there any place that sells valves for cheaper than 45 per unit? i'm an idiot with this so i do know whether to get the job done or just drive with this blasted clicking.. any help? suggestions? 89 240sx fastback109kpaid 1500:D

its time to find a new mechanic. 45 per valve is rediculous.

Post by **Nismo1182** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

Structure240sx wrote:i remember seeing somewhere that the dealer wanted like 17 per valve for one side then like 10 or 12 for the other side.

this is about right.

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

Yeah, 17 for the exhaust valves cause they're special sodium-filled I've heard. The intake ones are solid metal (and smaller). What's this I hear about "valve quieting fluid"? I am so interested! I've got an engine open right now due to a persistent rattling after a chain guide job.

Be careful with the cam bearings. It is almost definite tightening those bolts won't help, unless they're totally loose. The clearances between the bearings and the cams are VERY tight. Maybe .002-.004". Just enough to allow oil in there to lubricate them, and small enough to keep the oil pressure high enough so they don't hit. If you want to verify the clearances are correct, go to a machine shop and get some plastiguage. Not really high precision, but well in the neighborhood.

Post by **yellow_jacket** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

$45 per valve would be about right because whoever has the head will also be doing a valve job. Of course that is if it includes the labor and machine work.

On the other hand, if they are just charging you $45 for the part then they are ripping you off. You need to ask very specifically what that is paying for.

But just so you know, valves do not cause clicking. Lifters cause clicking. I am not sure if the SOHC motors solid lifters that you have to shim or not. I know the DOHC motors you have to shim the lifters. Either way it won't be cheap. The only reason you would need to replace the valves is if one of them was burnt.

Post by **Nismo1182** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

how did you do that? pics?

Post by **evoworx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

okay, i went to a different mechanic and he says that it's definitely the lifters. I had them do an oil change and inspection check (passed) and i asked what the cost would be to have the replaced/fixed whatever... as long as the blasted clicking goes away! he says at the shop it would be 600 for parts and labor. hmm.. still too pricey. i searched around and found a working head unit for $50. the sellers says it has only 5k miles on it, i think it's not true but as long as it fixes the clicks, i'm happy. my question is, would replacing the entire head get rid of the click or am i wasting my time here? i've attached a picture of what i'm looking to spend 50 on. would the cost of installation exceed 600? this site is the best thing to happen to my 89 fastback!

Post by **bmxruler4130** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

the head will fix the tapping, unless it needs new lifters itself.... but if its in good shape the tap wont be there. not sure how much it would be to get it put on.

Post by **JJ240** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

You can put a head on yourself without even pulling the engine.

Post by **evoworx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

is replacing the head hard to do? would a chilton's book show you how to do that? i don't see any places where i need a to weld so it doesn't seem impossible to do. does anyone know the weight of those heads? thanks guys.

Post by **Erik** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

replacing the head isn't to difficult, if you know anyone with any mild mechanic expirence, get them to help you, but a chiltons manual would come in handy..

shouldn't be too difficult for ya, also no there is no welding lol, prolly wanna get a new gasket though

Post by **evoworx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

thanks. i'm sure i can handle this, may take some time but i have a garage so that helps. i'll take pics as i go along so if something happens, i can put it back.

Post by **diablorlc** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

same problemchange the oil and a lifter free = problem gone

Post by **Thee 240sx Owner** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

i have the same exact problem with the tapping noise.... i'm assuming since everyone has this problems it must be the lifters..... mine use to be an on and off thing but every since i did 115 (damn limiter)...a couple times it seems to be stickin around for good now.... I'm debating on whether i'm gonna fix it or swap it with the KA24DE motor i just found thats in running condition..... any suggestions... Fix the Lifters or Toss the junk and in with the DE.... let me know....

Post by **Nismo1182** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

Jordass2986 wrote:here we go i just took a pic with my cheap @$$ digital camera

How much was the Nismo Solid lifters?

Post by **evoworx** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

i wouldn't junk the entire engine just for a lifter problem, not if everything else is fine. I spoke with a mechanic and there's too much work involved, that should be saved for an SR swap if that's your flavor. i like my ka24e, it has enough hp to deal with boston's traffic. no point have 200+ if i'm only going at max 35mph on the highway! i'm just going to fix the lifter problem and save some loot for a suspension upgrade. i love chasing down over powered cars on the curves! my stock 240 does so much better than my 01 maxima in terms of handling.. i'll keep it stock for now:D

Post by **dkdeleon** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 7:01 am

thanx for all the info guys but does ant one have this problem with a ka24de ? this is what I have. It does not tap when its idoling only when I rev or just before it changes gears

tapping noise?

tapping noise?

Tapping

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