Knocking normal?

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 12:54 PM

Ok so, Ive been searching online and on this forum unsuccessfully for answers, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this for me. I know this topic has been beaten to death about what oil is best for engine knocking, but I have not found my answer yet. Since I purchased my 370z about 3 weeks ago, I've been hearing a slight engine knocking. Almost sounds like a lifter tap. Ive had my first oil change done and they used Nissan Ester oil. They say its normal, but you never know with the dealer these days. I was under the impression from other posts that supposedly Nissan Ester oil helps with these knocking noises. In my situation it has not.

Couple things:
1. Is knocking normal on our cars?
2. Are there any safe additives out there for reducing engine knocking?
3. Anyone else had good experiences with noise reduction after switching to an Ester based full synthetic like Redline, or Motul?

Sorry if these are silly questions, but this being the first $30000+ car I've ever purchased, I'm a little paranoid about excessive engine noise. Any suggestions are appreciated in advance!

Modshack · 03-11-2010, 01:17 PM

Ticking or knocking? Your description sounds more like ticking. Fuel Injectors are quite noisy and it very well could be them..Not much you can do to quiet them..

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 01:22 PM

I guess you could say its more of a tick, the dealer told me the same thing, that its the injectors on the Z's and the Maximas that are loud like that. if I drive by a wall or a drive-thru or something, you can really hear it. I guess I just have to get a nice exhaust to drown it out.

Kyle@STILLEN · 03-11-2010, 01:23 PM

Do you know if the dealership did in fact use Nissan Ester oil? Most dealerships do not. This can cause a ticking sound in the valves.

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle@STILLEN

Do you know if the dealership did in fact use Nissan Ester oil? Most dealerships do not. This can cause a ticking sound in the valves.

I asked them for it specifically and the paperwork says Nissan 5W-30 EP and it was $11.99/ quart which is what I've read that Nissan Ester oil costs. The Nissan part number is 999MP.

SoCal 370Z · 03-11-2010, 01:34 PM

Kyle has a good point, as does Modshack, there is also this TSB: Tapping Noise from Dash Area when Engine is Running Ignore applicable years as these can be revised for year.

6MT · 03-11-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

Ticking or knocking? Your description sounds more like ticking. Fuel Injectors are quite noisy and it very well could be them..Not much you can do to quiet them..

Probably not a knock. But, Modshack is correct... the injectors do make a ticking noise. I haven't noticed this. But when I started my engine after 3 months of storage, there was a slight noise for about a half a second or so. I attribute that to dry start and nothing else.

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Kyle has a good point, as does Modshack, there is also this TSB: Tapping Noise from Dash Area when Engine is Running Ignore applicable years as these can be revised for year.

So just take it in to the dealer and tell them I need a Heater core flush?

SoCal 370Z · 03-11-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zFORme!!

So just take it in to the dealer and tell them I need a Heater core flush?

Not necessarily as it might not be the problem, but you can bring up the TSB to your dealer. What grade and brand of fuel are you running? (Please don't tell me COSTCO!)

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

No necessarily as it might not be the problem, but you can bring up the TSB to your dealer. What grade and brand of fuel are you running? (Please don't tell me COSTCO!)

Never! I dont even shop at costco let alone use their gas.

I have always used 91. There is a gas station near my parents that sells race gas 100 octane! I might try that and see if that helps!

370Zsteve · 03-11-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zFORme!!

Never! I dont even shop at costco let alone use their gas.

I have always used 91. There is a gas station near my parents that sells race gas 100 octane! I might try that and see if that helps!

O/T nothing wrong with Costco gas or any other off-brand fuel. It all comes from the same refineries.

SoCal 370Z · 03-11-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zFORme!!

Never! I dont even shop at costco let alone use their gas.

I have always used 91. There is a gas station near my parents that sells race gas 100 octane! I might try that and see if that helps!

I am going to recommend this before Modshack does...run a bottle Techron Concentrate Plus in your gas tank and see what that does. Also, what vehicle did you have before this as injectors can be very noisy at times and if you are not accustom to the noise then the first time you deal with it is always appears odd.

Zat_Zuma · 03-11-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

O/T nothing wrong with Costco gas or any other off-brand fuel. It all comes from the same refineries.

It may come from the same refineries but it's nowhere near the same specifications or have the additives packages as the name branded products. There can be a huge difference in quality specifications and driveability index between the brands. Company brand reputation is huge in the retail fuel market. No name brands don't worry about their reputation only there costs.

Ever wonder where the gasoline/diesel blending mistakes wind up going to?

Point to ponder: Ever wonder why there are no name branded Jet Fuel distribution companies at airports? It's called liability. The Jet fuel companies are responsible and accountable for their fuel quality they put into a airplane. Reputation, accountability and not to mention lawsuits are powerful motivators.

370zFORme!! · 03-11-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

I am going to recommend this before Modshack does...run a bottle Techron Concentrate Plus in your gas tank and see what that does. Also, what vehicle did you have before this as injectors can be very noisy at times and if you are not accustom to the noise then the first time you deal with it is always appears odd.

My last car was a 06 Scion TC, and it never knocked or ticked like this. My car before that was a 93 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 and that had lifter problems that sounded very similar to this. That's the reason, when I heard it I was like oh noooo lifter problems again? Should I reset my ecu after I use this Techron stuff? Thanks!

SoCal 370Z · 03-11-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zFORme!!

My last car was a 06 Scion TC, and it never knocked or ticked like this. My car before that was a 93 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 and that had lifter problems that sounded very similar to this. That's the reason, when I heard it I was like oh noooo lifter problems again? Should I reset my ecu after I use this Techron stuff? Thanks!

No need to reset your ECU. Also, the Mits 3000GT has very noisy injectors, but that car can run up to 200K miles before any real problems with its engine. The VR4 biggest problem was its AWD with owners that did not service ALL the fluids in a timely fashion. Super cool car though.

03-11-2010, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
370zFORme!! Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,459 Drives: 2012 6MT STiffy Rep Power: 18	Knocking normal? Ok so, Ive been searching online and on this forum unsuccessfully for answers, I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this for me. I know this topic has been beaten to death about what oil is best for engine knocking, but I have not found my answer yet. Since I purchased my 370z about 3 weeks ago, I've been hearing a slight engine knocking. Almost sounds like a lifter tap. Ive had my first oil change done and they used Nissan Ester oil. They say its normal, but you never know with the dealer these days. I was under the impression from other posts that supposedly Nissan Ester oil helps with these knocking noises. In my situation it has not. Couple things: 1. Is knocking normal on our cars? 2. Are there any safe additives out there for reducing engine knocking? 3. Anyone else had good experiences with noise reduction after switching to an Ester based full synthetic like Redline, or Motul? Sorry if these are silly questions, but this being the first $30000+ car I've ever purchased, I'm a little paranoid about excessive engine noise. Any suggestions are appreciated in advance!

03-11-2010, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 977	Ticking or knocking? Your description sounds more like ticking. Fuel Injectors are quite noisy and it very well could be them..Not much you can do to quiet them.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

03-11-2010, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 34	Kyle has a good point, as does Modshack, there is also this TSB: Tapping Noise from Dash Area when Engine is Running Ignore applicable years as these can be revised for year. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

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03-11-2010, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
370zFORme!! Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,459 Drives: 2012 6MT STiffy Rep Power: 18	I guess you could say its more of a tick, the dealer told me the same thing, that its the injectors on the Z's and the Maximas that are loud like that. if I drive by a wall or a drive-thru or something, you can really hear it. I guess I just have to get a nice exhaust to drown it out.

03-11-2010, 01:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kyle@STILLEN The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 626 Drives: Toyota Tundra Rep Power: 307	Do you know if the dealership did in fact use Nissan Ester oil? Most dealerships do not. This can cause a ticking sound in the valves.