Engine Ticking Noise Rythmic
 

My Z decided to start making a ticking noise when leaving a store one day. It’s never made loud valvetrain noise ever. It wasn’t on a cold start and it’s not at idle like some other posts have said. I’ve tried to research as much as I could before posting this.

The noise: it isn’t a loud rumble, it’s not a “knock” it’s more of a rhythmic loud-ish tick between 2200-4000 rpms on on throttle and stops ticking when the throttle has been let off completely no matter the rpms. I can hold the rpms steady and the noise happens.

There was 5W-30 synthetic oil in the engine unfortunately I was not running ester oil. I switched immediately to redline, and it’s been about 500 miles since the switch. The noise hasn’t gotten worse or better. I’m going to post a video of the noise soon. Power is the same and no vibrations.

370Z engines tend to be noisy - if it's not the valve train, it's the clutch; if not the clutch, it's a rear wheel bearing, etc, etc, etc. It's a two-seat sports car, not a luxury sedan. ;)

I'd switch to ester oil and see if that helps. If the noise went away, I'd stick with the ester oil. If the noise stayed the same, I'd go back to a cheaper high-quality oil and live with the noise. If the noise got worse, I'd shut down until I could get problem diagnosed. YMMV

I got 99 problems, but VVEL ticking aint one.

It’s not the normal noisy it used to be. Yea I understand it’s not a luxury car, i understand I’m going to hear rattles with my test pipes. I’m ok with that.

I appreciate the quick response
I mentioned the switch to ester oil in the first post, but it has only been 500 miles since the switch. Not the clutch, replaced the clutch, lightweight flywheel (who needs luxury when you got this beautiful noise at redlights ha) HD CSC, CMC, new transmission, redline fluid.
Not rear wheel bearing: noise can be heard not moving and just revving it.

Which bring me to my next point, I had my girlfriend hold the rpms steady while I hunt the noise down. Sounds like it’s coming from the number 4 cylinder, probably should have mentioned that earlier. It’s not the normal all over typical vvel noises.

It’s loud and strange enough to make me worried

Hopefully this video works

https://imgur.com/a/v30QcXr

I had a ticking noise about two weeks ago and determined that it was coming from under the car. I found out that my heatshield on the exhaust was loose so i just re-clamped it and the sound went away.

Don't sound good on the video. Have your oil pressure checked with a gauge. Pressure should be about 38lbs at idle about 90 lbs at 5,000. Being an '09. I'm thinking a valley gasket on the front of the motor has started to blow out. But what gets me, it only happens between 2200 and 4000 rev's.

I’ll check for that this weekend when I got time.

And for the oil pressure, I have one of those obd2 Bluetooth things and oil pressure isnt a sensor on our cars, so my only option is to get an oil pressure gauge and install it? If that gasket is blown I should be consuming oil at a noticeable rate right? I’ll check my oil today and keep an eye on the levels every day.

I appreciate y’all help on this.

You have to install a separate gauge to check pressure. If the valley gaskets are leaking by. You will not lose oil. The oil will just go back into the oil pan. The gaskets are under the front timing cover.

Here's the thread on it.

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ml#post3735619

FYI. The engine oil pressure specs listed in the FSM at an engine oil temperature of 176 degrees F are approximately 14 psi at idle and 43 psi at 2,000 rpm.

I know what the FSM says. But this is what is real.
Cold start psi is around 100 psi. Once off of fast idle. The pressure drops to around 35~38 psi. The pressure will raise with rpm. It will get to 95 psi at around 5,000 rpm. This is why you can't install a 100 psi gauge. It will be pegged. Have to go with a 150 psi gauge.

My low pressure warning light is set to come on at 25psi on my gauge. The 14 psi in the FSM is just enough to turn off the factory warning light.

I should probably install one anyways especially since I’m trying to build this up and do track events, and I just recently installed an oil cooler. I’ll shoot for the next couple of weeks to get one installed.

I may be wrong, but IMHO, it sounds like valve noise. Like the old cars where the valves would float on the cam at certain RPMS. Since these are probably hydraulically driven, if the oil pressure is low, there is not enough pressure to keep the lifters on the cams.

I found this in my FSM for assistance in diagnosing where and what the noise may be caused by...

So I took a long wrench and poked the heat shields and the seemed solid, didn’t move. Kind of bummed really hoping that was it.

Would this cause loss in power or vibrations?