Timing chain? Lifters? what is it?

[Kaioshin1982]

I have a '89 fast back and I started the car today and I hear this "ticking" sound coming from what it looks like the front of the valve (I can be wrong) or inside the valve..? but anyways it ticks constantly pretty fast and seems like the higher the rev is the faster the ticking. When I would rev up the engine I can hear the ticking speed increasing, after I drove around for about an hour, the ticking stopped but started and stopped and started and kept going on and off.

But now it has been worse and the sound wont go away... keeps on ticking and ticking gets faster as the rpm goes up.

So... is it the timing chain? or the lifters? IF it is the timing chain is it something THAT important to get it fixed right away? and how about if it was the lifters?Im so noob when it comes to cars...

Thanx in advance. Sorry for the long post :help

[yellow_jacket]

Sounds like a lifter going in and out.

[Kaioshin1982]

is it hard to fix that? and if so how do i do that also if i want the shop to fix it how much do you think it will cost?

[trpower7]

Sounds like the infamous timing chain rattle, it's coming from the right part of the engine at the right time for such an old engine. Make sure your oil level is right, low oil can cause a ticking lifter, but my money is on the timing chain. And do a search on "fixing lifter" "engine ticking" "timing chain", etc, it will yield tons of answers.

[yellow_jacket]

That is probably your best bet to check first. To me the two sound nothing alike so it is easy to diagnose. If it is the chain I would say get it fixed pronto as the chains on the sohc motors tend to eat through the front covers.

[Kaioshin1982]

hmm thanx for the replys guys but the previous owner had the timing chain done by nissan only 2 years ago.. will it need replacing so soon? and i will get a full tune up next week so i'll chaging the oil and such and see if that solves the problem. Also isnt it kinda weird that the ticking sound increases as the rpm increases?

[MaineExport]

If it is your timing chain guide it will sound like a constant and very rapid tick. Almost similar to a bicycle chain.

If it's a sticky valve lifter it will will be more prominant at low speed and idle. It will tick once per RPM and sound like an analog clock or watch.

Also, even if the timing chain was replaced two years ago... it's not the chain itself causing the problem... it's the plastic guide rubbing against it.

A sticky lifter is NOT a big deal and won't really hurt your performance enough to justify paying to have it fixed. If it ever got real bad, your best bet would just be to buy a rebuilt head to have close to stock tolerances again.

[Kaioshin1982]

the sound is so annoying.... and embrassing haha everyone can hear it! damn it!

[p00t]

my guess would be to use a thicker oil, ive heard that it quiets it down a bit, but the sound slowly comes back as it gets worn more and more.

my mom's 98 Malibu LS has had noisy lifters since 120k miles on her car. shes at 185k now and still goin strong, but the sound has gotten a bit louder and more lifters are doin it lol. oh well.

[Kaioshin1982]

haha omfg im so stupid... thank you guys for the replys...

guess what the problem was...

I HAD NO OIL!!!!

anyways.. I put in 2 quarts of oil and voila~! no more sound yes yes im very very stupid... hehe forgive me!

[U12 2NR]

wow...

anyway, run an engine flush through it and change the oil. If you were low on oil to the point where the lifters were ticking then you most certainly need more than 2 quarts.