Ticking Sound on top of engine...

wstar · 05-21-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

I have NO ticking noise from engine area. But, after driving more than half hour (meaning cats are fully warmed up), I get a little ticking noise. I am certain it's NOT engine or injector related. It's coming from cat or exhaust area. Camera was placed RIGHT under left cat, car idling.

Wow, I don't know wtf that is. Can you hear that just standing next to the car, without shoving a camera up by the cat?

The sounds I've been talking about are just subtle repetitive ticks, like a metronome synchronized click-track, that are completely stable (at a given rpm). What you've recorded is something very scratchy and erratic...

AK370Z · 05-21-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyndo

popcorn?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Wow, I don't know wtf that is. Can you hear that just standing next to the car, without shoving a camera up by the cat?

The sounds I've been talking about are just subtle repetitive ticks, like a metronome synchronized click-track, that are completely stable (at a given rpm). What you've recorded is something very scratchy and erratic...

It's the EXACT ticking sound you get when you park your car in the garage after driving for a while (engine off). But this one is audible with the engine on, right under the cats. if it helps, tomorrow I can take two videos at the same time with one camera under Left and one under right cat. Next time drive your car for a while. When you come home, instead of turning the car off, go outside and look under the cats. See if you hear anything and report back please. thanks.

To answer your question, YES you can hear it up to 2 feet away from car(if it's really quiet out) . Am I overreacting?

wstar · 05-21-2009, 01:53 AM

Re: after the car is turned off, you're talking about the usual ticking from metal contracting as the car cools off? That video doesn't sound anything like that to me. But metal contracting/expanding and making that characteristic sound is normal even when the engine is running as the temps of the components change.

Lyndo · 05-21-2009, 01:54 AM

the only thing i can think of is when you let the engine idle it starts to cool down the converter due to less exaust passing through(obviously lol) and then maybe the components inside and the heat sheild maybe contracting a bit, i don't get how this would make the sound on your video but thats the only explanation i could come up with, i did a search on google and wikipedia and other sites and read some stuff of catalytic converters (i'm kinda bored at the moment) but came up empty handed other than a thread on a cadillac forum of a guy describing the exact same thign as you and they seemed to think it was just the cooling off of the components as well but no one could say for sure so who knows.

edit: wstar beat me to it and said basically the same thing lol

AK370Z · 05-21-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Re: after the car is turned off, you're talking about the usual ticking from metal contracting as the car cools off? That video doesn't sound anything like that to me. But metal contracting/expanding and making that characteristic sound is normal even when the engine is running as the temps of the components change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyndo

the only thing i can think of is when you let the engine idle it starts to cool down the converter due to less exaust passing through(obviously lol) and then maybe the components inside and the heat sheild maybe contracting a bit, i don't get how this would make the sound on your video but thats the only explanation i could come up with, i did a search on google and wikipedia and other sites and read some stuff of catalytic converters (i'm kinda bored at the moment) but came up empty handed other than a thread on a cadillac forum of a guy describing the exact same thign as you and they seemed to think it was just the cooling off of the components as well but no one could say for sure so who knows.

edit: wstar beat me to it and said basically the same thing lol

Thank you both. I think it makes sense. It's probably cats cooling down as there's less hot air passing through them. BTW, I just realized this thread is for ticking noise from the engine. Sorry OP if I cluttered this thread up

.

Boostcrazy · 07-09-2009, 03:24 PM

That sounds more like something is rattling or something metalic rubbing against something, not ticking.

need4speed · 07-09-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSUTurboTiger

I agree with the people who said its probably the injectors, they do make an audible ticking noise. My 300Zx does it, my 350Z did it. haven't noticed it on my 370 but probably does it too.

My cousins g37 does it. My 08 altima 3.5 does it. My sister in laws maxima does it.
So I just think its most likely a VQ characteristic.

rudi · 07-09-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

I have NO ticking noise from engine area. But, after driving more than half hour (meaning cats are fully warmed up), I get a little ticking noise. I am certain it's NOT engine or injector related. It's coming from cat or exhaust area. Camera was placed RIGHT under left cat, car idling.

VIDEO
YouTube - MOV01759

If it makes you feel any better, I have exactly the same sound coming from the under side of my Z. I'm going to have it checked at my next service along with my intermittent trunk not opening and condensation in the tail light.

Rudi.

spearfish25 · 08-02-2009, 01:58 PM

Those are normal sounds AK. My car does it as well. Don't worry about it.

Shunya · 08-02-2009, 02:00 PM

heatshield from headers maybe? lol it's just a guess

Trips · 08-02-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zZSportZz

Being new to Nissan engines...is this normal? I can really hear it going through drive-throughs and stuff. Sorry for the noob question

First car I own that sounds like that.

Nothing to worry about its either the lifters ticking or the injectors and if you hear it after you have driven it and parked it is the exhaust cooling and contracting.

znism11 · 08-02-2009, 03:41 PM

Wow that is weird, it could be anything, I would take it in to your dealer ASAP.

My opinion would be, it sounds like leaky exhaust system, because my old 280zx
made similar sounds, I had it check out & the muffler guy found a small hole in exhaust pipe after the cat. In you case it could be either defective seals or if you ran over something it may have puncture a small hole somewhere in the syst.
Let us know the updates,

Znism11

g96818 · 08-02-2009, 05:29 PM

time bomb?
call the bomb squad!

AK370Z · 08-03-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Those are normal sounds AK. My car does it as well. Don't worry about it.

it's most likely exhaust/cat converter cooling and contracting.

cave vulture · 08-20-2009, 11:54 PM

I get the exact same sound after the car has warmed up and it is clearly audible from inside the Z while driving if you listen for it.

05-21-2009, 01:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Re: after the car is turned off, you're talking about the usual ticking from metal contracting as the car cools off? That video doesn't sound anything like that to me. But metal contracting/expanding and making that characteristic sound is normal even when the engine is running as the temps of the components change. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

05-21-2009, 01:54 AM	#19 (permalink)
Lyndo Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saskatoon, Sk, Canada Posts: 53 Drives: honda accord Rep Power: 16	the only thing i can think of is when you let the engine idle it starts to cool down the converter due to less exaust passing through(obviously lol) and then maybe the components inside and the heat sheild maybe contracting a bit, i don't get how this would make the sound on your video but thats the only explanation i could come up with, i did a search on google and wikipedia and other sites and read some stuff of catalytic converters (i'm kinda bored at the moment) but came up empty handed other than a thread on a cadillac forum of a guy describing the exact same thign as you and they seemed to think it was just the cooling off of the components as well but no one could say for sure so who knows. edit: wstar beat me to it and said basically the same thing lol Last edited by Lyndo; 05-21-2009 at 01:59 AM.

08-02-2009, 05:29 PM	#28 (permalink)
g96818 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: A rock in a big pond Posts: 681 Drives: 2009 370Z, 2012 M56 Rep Power: 3394	time bomb? call the bomb squad! __________________ CZP are lying thieves!

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07-09-2009, 03:24 PM	#21 (permalink)
Boostcrazy Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sanford, FL Posts: 45 Drives: '13 PW 370Z Sports Rep Power: 16	That sounds more like something is rattling or something metalic rubbing against something, not ticking.

08-02-2009, 01:58 PM	#24 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Those are normal sounds AK. My car does it as well. Don't worry about it.

08-02-2009, 02:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
Shunya A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,069 Drives: You Crazy! Rep Power: 22	heatshield from headers maybe? lol it's just a guess

08-02-2009, 03:41 PM	#27 (permalink)
znism11 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 9 Drives: 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Wow that is weird, it could be anything, I would take it in to your dealer ASAP. My opinion would be, it sounds like leaky exhaust system, because my old 280zx made similar sounds, I had it check out & the muffler guy found a small hole in exhaust pipe after the cat. In you case it could be either defective seals or if you ran over something it may have puncture a small hole somewhere in the syst. Let us know the updates, Znism11

08-20-2009, 11:54 PM	#30 (permalink)
cave vulture Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 427 Drives: 370z tour,sport,auto Rep Power: 16	I get the exact same sound after the car has warmed up and it is clearly audible from inside the Z while driving if you listen for it.