Need some help!! Knocking/Ticking going on.

UTAMAV · 10-31-2011, 12:13 AM

Hey guys/gals,

So I just got home and noticed my engine making a knocking sound. It was evenly spaced and sounded like it was in rhythm with the engine rpm's. It sounds similar to a bad valve lifter. I checked the oil right after I shut the engine off....the oil level was only up to the "low" sign on the dipstick. I am waiting for the engine to cool to recheck it....I have a feeling it will be below "low". Can someone confirm that this is the kind of noise I would hear if indeed my oil level is low? I have a voice memo of it I could email to someone, if you are willing. Any help is appreciated.

P.S. My mods are as below in my signature. Could any of these, specifically the Motordyne plenum be causing this noise?

UTAMAV · 10-31-2011, 11:46 AM

Bump for any input?

corbin09 · 10-31-2011, 02:01 PM

Is it only when the car is idle? My car makes a slight ticking sound at idle, they told me it was normal. I still do not think so though.

When you go up in revs does the ticking/knocking get louder or faster?

UTAMAV · 10-31-2011, 03:21 PM

It is at idle....but it is much louder than that ticking noise.....I have that too. I took it to Nissan today. They told me it was my cats causing the issue. They are coming out and test pipes will be in on Friday. Thanks for trying to help man...not many people were even willing to post.

wheee! · 10-31-2011, 03:25 PM

Are you running Ester oil? Some lower quality oils have been known to cause valve noise in the VQ engines...

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2011, 03:33 PM

Low oil can definitely result in ticking.

corbin09 · 10-31-2011, 03:41 PM

Throw on your tp and let me know what happens. I am pretty sure I have this same noise, but I already have test pipes. I read something once about when the car is warming up the exhaust makes a ticking noise until it is hot but I never looked into it any more as I took the car to get tuned and everything seemed fine. Keep me updated please

m4a1mustang · 10-31-2011, 03:41 PM

Ah, the ticking could also be an exaust leak.

Z eliminator · 10-31-2011, 09:59 PM

Is your car a 7 AT.
mine made a really bad banging noise at idle and it was the flex plate . (fly wheel)
It was cracked in several places.

UTAMAV · 11-01-2011, 12:25 AM

Wow....thanks for the response guys! To answer a few questions: 1. Yes it is a 7AT, and I hope to hell it isn't my flywheel. 2. I will install the test pipes from Motordyne

on Friday and will post information about any recurrent banging/ticking. 3. The noise that I am concerned about isn't so much ticking....the ticking is there but I've been told that's normal. The noise that scares me is like a low pitched banging noise that is in synch with the engine RPM. NOW....for the real weird stuff:

I went to the dealership, Don Davis Nissan, and told them my oil level was low...and I mean LOOOOOWWWW. The oil was hitting the "L" on the dipstick. They took my car back, and the first thing they asked when I popped the hood was "Who did all your aftermarket work?" (My trust went out the window at this point). So they take my car back and are all acting kind of strange when I tell them, there is practically 1-2 liters of oil in the engine....call me back after 3 hours, say they cannot duplicate the noise any longer. I come up to the dealership, they tell me my oil level is fine....they show me the dipstick....and the oil level is miraculously hitting the "H" on the dipstick (the car is cold). All of a sudden the knocking is much less obvious. I think they fouled up my last oil change and tried to cover their arse. Do any of you think I'm right or am I being paranoid?

As far as the ester oil.....I let the dealership do the oil changes, and from what I under stand they are using Mobil 1 5w30 full synthetic....if I understand correctly, that is a full ester based engine oil. Am I correct or wrong? (I don't REALLY know) My mechanic, Dan, told me he suggested Motul 8100 X-Max or Motul V300...I have done some research on these oils and I understand them to be great oils. Should I dump the dealership on the oil changes and let my mechanic do it with Motul (yes I know, I should just do it myself, but I am in Anesthesia residency and have kids) My time is spent driving

Thanks for all your guys' input...read what I have here and give me some feed back. I'll keep you all updated on what happens after the test pipe install. (I hope I'll see more power...I should right?)

Thanks guys, seriously

UTAMAV · 11-01-2011, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Ah, the ticking could also be an exaust leak.

I was wondering about this as well....but shouldn't I have power surges/willy nilly idling/etc as well? I will have my mechanic re-torque everything on Friday.

UTAMAV · 11-01-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z eliminator

Is your car a 7 AT.
mine made a really bad banging noise at idle and it was the flex plate . (fly wheel)
It was cracked in several places.

Can you elaborate man....I would love to send you this sound clip. How would I know if it was the flex plate. Would there be any other symptoms beside the banging?

wheee! · 11-01-2011, 08:17 AM

Well, the dealerships are notorious for charging too much for an oil change and using the wrong oil. Full synthetic is recommended for our engines but a lot of dealerships still put the generic mineral oils in because the guy doing the changes doesn't know any better. Take it to your mechanic friend that knows what he is talking about. His livelihood depends on service not new car sales....

red6spd · 11-01-2011, 08:46 AM

I dont understand why people are not checking there oil levels everytime they get gas. Or at least every other time. Oil has got to be the most important thing to your engine, I bet alot of engines could have been saved if people checked there oil more often. And unless you have no ability at all to change your oil yourself stay as far away from the dealer as you can.

Jordo! · 11-01-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z eliminator

Is your car a 7 AT.
mine made a really bad banging noise at idle and it was the flex plate . (fly wheel)
It was cracked in several places.

How did that happen???

10-31-2011, 12:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
UTAMAV Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 104 Drives: 14 Nissan 370Z GM A7 Rep Power: 14	Need some help!! Knocking/Ticking going on. Hey guys/gals, So I just got home and noticed my engine making a knocking sound. It was evenly spaced and sounded like it was in rhythm with the engine rpm's. It sounds similar to a bad valve lifter. I checked the oil right after I shut the engine off....the oil level was only up to the "low" sign on the dipstick. I am waiting for the engine to cool to recheck it....I have a feeling it will be below "low". Can someone confirm that this is the kind of noise I would hear if indeed my oil level is low? I have a voice memo of it I could email to someone, if you are willing. Any help is appreciated. P.S. My mods are as below in my signature. Could any of these, specifically the Motordyne plenum be causing this noise? __________________ \| Agency Power Ti CBE \| Stillen G3 CAI \| Z1 Motorsport Wheel Spacers \| Bridgestone Pole Position Tires \|

10-31-2011, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
UTAMAV Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 104 Drives: 14 Nissan 370Z GM A7 Rep Power: 14	Bump for any input? __________________ \| Agency Power Ti CBE \| Stillen G3 CAI \| Z1 Motorsport Wheel Spacers \| Bridgestone Pole Position Tires \|

10-31-2011, 03:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
UTAMAV Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 104 Drives: 14 Nissan 370Z GM A7 Rep Power: 14	It is at idle....but it is much louder than that ticking noise.....I have that too. I took it to Nissan today. They told me it was my cats causing the issue. They are coming out and test pipes will be in on Friday. Thanks for trying to help man...not many people were even willing to post. __________________ \| Agency Power Ti CBE \| Stillen G3 CAI \| Z1 Motorsport Wheel Spacers \| Bridgestone Pole Position Tires \|

10-31-2011, 03:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 57 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Are you running Ester oil? Some lower quality oils have been known to cause valve noise in the VQ engines... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

10-31-2011, 03:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Low oil can definitely result in ticking. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-31-2011, 02:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 280	Is it only when the car is idle? My car makes a slight ticking sound at idle, they told me it was normal. I still do not think so though. When you go up in revs does the ticking/knocking get louder or faster?

10-31-2011, 03:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 280	Throw on your tp and let me know what happens. I am pretty sure I have this same noise, but I already have test pipes. I read something once about when the car is warming up the exhaust makes a ticking noise until it is hot but I never looked into it any more as I took the car to get tuned and everything seemed fine. Keep me updated please

10-31-2011, 03:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Ah, the ticking could also be an exaust leak. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-31-2011, 09:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Z eliminator A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,659 Drives: 370 Z 7AT Sports Rep Power: 19	Is your car a 7 AT. mine made a really bad banging noise at idle and it was the flex plate . (fly wheel) It was cracked in several places. __________________ 12.343 @114.14 . 4.5 stroker motor is now being built. Dec 1 2015.

11-01-2011, 12:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
UTAMAV Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 104 Drives: 14 Nissan 370Z GM A7 Rep Power: 14	Wow....thanks for the response guys! To answer a few questions: 1. Yes it is a 7AT, and I hope to hell it isn't my flywheel. 2. I will install the test pipes from Motordyne on Friday and will post information about any recurrent banging/ticking. 3. The noise that I am concerned about isn't so much ticking....the ticking is there but I've been told that's normal. The noise that scares me is like a low pitched banging noise that is in synch with the engine RPM. NOW....for the real weird stuff: I went to the dealership, Don Davis Nissan, and told them my oil level was low...and I mean LOOOOOWWWW. The oil was hitting the "L" on the dipstick. They took my car back, and the first thing they asked when I popped the hood was "Who did all your aftermarket work?" (My trust went out the window at this point). So they take my car back and are all acting kind of strange when I tell them, there is practically 1-2 liters of oil in the engine....call me back after 3 hours, say they cannot duplicate the noise any longer. I come up to the dealership, they tell me my oil level is fine....they show me the dipstick....and the oil level is miraculously hitting the "H" on the dipstick (the car is cold). All of a sudden the knocking is much less obvious. I think they fouled up my last oil change and tried to cover their arse. Do any of you think I'm right or am I being paranoid? As far as the ester oil.....I let the dealership do the oil changes, and from what I under stand they are using Mobil 1 5w30 full synthetic....if I understand correctly, that is a full ester based engine oil. Am I correct or wrong? (I don't REALLY know) My mechanic, Dan, told me he suggested Motul 8100 X-Max or Motul V300...I have done some research on these oils and I understand them to be great oils. Should I dump the dealership on the oil changes and let my mechanic do it with Motul (yes I know, I should just do it myself, but I am in Anesthesia residency and have kids) My time is spent driving Thanks for all your guys' input...read what I have here and give me some feed back. I'll keep you all updated on what happens after the test pipe install. (I hope I'll see more power...I should right?) Thanks guys, seriously __________________ \| Agency Power Ti CBE \| Stillen G3 CAI \| Z1 Motorsport Wheel Spacers \| Bridgestone Pole Position Tires \|

11-01-2011, 08:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 57 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Well, the dealerships are notorious for charging too much for an oil change and using the wrong oil. Full synthetic is recommended for our engines but a lot of dealerships still put the generic mineral oils in because the guy doing the changes doesn't know any better. Take it to your mechanic friend that knows what he is talking about. His livelihood depends on *service* not new car sales.... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

11-01-2011, 08:46 AM	#14 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	I dont understand why people are not checking there oil levels everytime they get gas. Or at least every other time. Oil has got to be the most important thing to your engine, I bet alot of engines could have been saved if people checked there oil more often. And unless you have no ability at all to change your oil yourself stay as far away from the dealer as you can. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

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