ticking engine...

[LiU]

I know this topic has been beaten to death but a mechanic listened to my car (rapid clicking/tapping sound at idle to around 1000 rpm, this gets louder as AC is on around 1000 rpm)... I asked if it was the guides he asked what kind of oil I was using.I told him I was using 10-30 weight he said that since the engine's old, I should use 20-50 weight, which will make the sound go away, and the sound is caused by the lifters.

So far every topic I've read about the timing chain the general consensus is that its the guides and they need to be repaired... he is the only one to think its the lifters... any1 can shed some light on this for me? Since I am coming up close to an oil change, I'm gonna try the 20-50 weight oil and see how it turns out.

[LiU]

oh..i forgot, I have a 96 240sx w/ 105k miles.

[9095240SXDUCK]

Check the oil! Because my did that, for a while until I found out the engine only had about 2 1/2QT when I drain my oil out. Soon as I put fresh 4 QT of oil in the engine and a filter change. it stop. So check your dip stick! to see are you good on the oil. Also Put 10W40 help alot on burning. 20W50 is kinda too high unless you have a very high mile engine/car!

[9095240SXDUCK]

Oh by the way, don't EVER use 5W30 Or 5W40, my GF 97 240SX burn it like in no time. and the engine only has 50k. The guy live around me told me to do it since he said it work good on his 98 in HOT ATL!

[NISTECH]

the factory recommends 5W30 and have seen the Truck have this problem and putting 5W30 in it resolved it along with a nissan oil filter. I recommend you go with what nissan recommends first. but 90s13 has a good point. are you low on oil

[9095240SXDUCK]

Thank'sSee I might be not able to spell but I know some stuff!:-)

[LiU]

hmm... I've been using 10-30 for the past 2 years and the ticking started bout 6 months ago... no I put 3 1/2 bottle of pennzoil in it so that should be enough...hmmm the guy told me to use 10-40 and 20-50 mixed... but I've been doing the same oil change for the past 2 years and I don't think I'm burning oil...AHH gay... I just hope it's not my timing chain and its just an oil problem and that nothing's gone seriously wrong yet...

[LiU]

AHHH I'm so confused right now... 1 mechanic listneed and told me that it was the guides loose... another otld me it was the lfiters and all I have to do is use heavier weight oil...well I went out and bought some mobil 10-40s to replace the 10-30s and will see how it does...I just checked my oil and it was in the middle of that allowable range on the dipstick... I'm gonna check how much I put in this time when I do the oil change ot see if it's burning oil...

another peculiar thing though, the sound isn't loud at all, you can barely haer it sitting in the car... it gets REALLY noticeable at around 1000 rpm... weird...

comon you nissan gurus shed some more light...

[drjohn]

96 with 105k tells us that the chains probably haven't been changed and the 2 top guides are still on the head. These need to be removed.The 96 240 doesn't have hyd.lifters,it uses lash pads or shims to set the valve clearance.With that kind of milage I use 20w-50 castor oil put it all comes down to personal choice. You could also have a valve out of adjustment or under certain conditions a loose exhaust manifold or broken exhaust stud can sound just like a lifter noise.

[LiU]

ok I'm gonna do the oil change today w/ 10-40 weight instead of 10-30 weight and will see if the sound goes away. So eventually I will have to remove the upper guides... is there a detailed direction on doing this for a first time DIYer?