2013 370z: engine clatter / rattling / knocking noise (video clip)
 

Hi

I purchased a second-hand 370z a few months ago. Only 1 owner, really low milage (~13k), no mods (that I know of - but who knows if it was reverted back to stock before it was sold by the previous owner). Complete service book. Recently serviced.

I haven't used it much (probably less than 1k miles), and I always let the oil get up to operating temp before I put any significant load on it.

I didn't have any issues with the car to begin with. Then, after a couple of weeks, I started to get some loud clatter when taking off in 1st gear. Nothing whilst driving. Then all of a sudden, the horrible clattering noise started the other while I was driving on the highway.

So initially I though it was a transmission/clutch-related issue, but now I'm more inclined to think it could be engine-related. :eek:

Have a listen in this video clip...


Whilst driving on the road (I did a very short test drive before shooting the above video), the noise is not always present. Or maybe it's just not always loud enough to be heard. I'm unsure.

That sound is not good. It could be rod knock, hard to tell. Need to find out where it is coming from. Have you checked the oil level?

Good call Spooler. That is definitely rod knock, you can hear the double knock when it’s revved. Pull the lower oil pan and see what has accumulated.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Much appreciated. Oil level is good. Just checked it. Nearly at the top marker (and unchanged from when I checked it a few weeks back).

Oh man, rod knock. Sounds bad. I better start searching this forum and googling the possible ramifications of that then - and ways to overcome the issue. I'll update this thread once I know more.

Don't just assume it is rod knock. It could be the clutch or something else. I have fixed a V-band Belt that had lost part of the V sound just like Rod knock.

A little update: A local shop that specializes in Japanese performance cars is going to pick up the car at my home later this week. From listening to the video clip their guess is also rod knock (but can't be sure, of course).

If they end up opening the engine and do an engine overhaul (assuming the damage done is limited), I am considering beefing things up a little over stock as I may go FI down the road.

Double check your oil gallery gasket. I think they only fixed them In 2014. Basically hook up an oil pressure gauge at the oil filter housing? Some guys have had their oil gallery gaskets split and you lose oil pressure. If this goes on for a while, the engine can get damaged. I luckily caught it in time because I heard what I thought as lifter tick. My 07 Nismo has an oil gauge and it would never get above 40psi.

Unfortunately I've noticed that this is a common theme with low mileage cars. It's never a good idea to buy a low mileage car as it was probably never brought up to temp most of the time. My low mileage Nismo ended up having a lot of metal shavings in the pan as soon as I brought it home bone stock NA.