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?

Bump for any input?

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?

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.

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

Low oil can definitely result in ticking.

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 :)

Ah, the ticking could also be an exaust leak.

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.

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:happydance: 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:tiphat:

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.

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?

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....

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.

How did that happen??? :icon14: