Valve Adjustment
 

So I'm wondering, I've been doing some research on the valve tapping issue that for the most part, we all have been experiencing. I have switched to redline synthetic 5w-30 and initially the noise was dramatically reduced, but has now returned. So my question is pointed at the major gear heads, would a valve adjustment help at all in reducing valvetrain noise, or is this something that I may just have to get used to. It just hurts my pride to know that I paid for an almost $35,000 car and it has "normal" valvetrain noise. Any thoughts?

Just how "normal" or generalized is that, FORme? Have you read it often on this forum? Warranty at the dealership?? Good luck.

I'm affraid you have me a bit confused. I don't think its normal, the dealer tells me its normal when I take it for them to diagnose. They won't warranty something they say is normal.

Well, maybe it is normal. Engines do make ticking noises.

I realize that engines make noise to some degree, but a brand new car should not sound like it's constantly low on oil. I've checked the oil level and its slightly below the H. So oil levels are not the problem. Its a very heavily documented problem that has been resolved with the G37 guys and most of the 09 Z guys. I've also heard that the 2010's should not have the ticking issue as it was "resolved" on the line after they realized the problem with the 09's. Here I am though with a 2010 that clearly has the issue. There was even a TSB for it. So obviously it is not normal if they have issued a TSB. I just will not be satisfied with "oh, that's normal"

On another note, I wonder why there was a TSB issued for Infiniti, but not Nissan. Any ideas?

Take it to another dealer and then another, until one of them agrees with you. Then have them fix it. If you don't like my answer, then what is it you would like to hear from the community?

Well ya I dont like your answer because you're basically saying that engines tick. Not true. I have owned multiple new cars that have sounded like they should. Plus, you didn't even answer my question regarding valve adjustments, so you really didn't offer up any valuable information, just a dumb remark. The answer I was looking for from the community is clearly posted in my original post, if you cannot decipher that then :shakes head:

the only adjustment that can be made would be reshimming the lifters which would cost a hell of a lot and require both heads to be completely torn apart. they could pull your valve covers and check the clearances first with feeler gauges to give you some piece of mind but that would require tearing the top of the motor apart, and i'm not 100% sure whether or not that would require disconnecting the vvel actuator sub assembly which nissan says needs to be replaced if it is ever removed, if they mistakenly take apart the ladder assembly you will be in for new heads as well. your best bet is to keep trying for warranty if you don't like it. It might be a problem with the hydraulic lifters if there is some air trapped in them that can't be bled out and that would again require tearing the heads apart. if it's only coming from the very front of the engine it might be a problem with the chains or tensioners but that is highly unlikely.

Thanks man, very informative! +1 rep for you!

Hey, isn't that what I said? Go download the service manual like everyone else and read it. Then start turning wrenches; that is if you know what a wrench is.:shakes head::shakes head::shakes head:

FORme, man I have had the same ticking noise, it concerned me but I never could really find anything wrong with the motor. At one point after I bought the car I took it to the dealer and made them let me go start a different 370 so I could listen to it, that 370 made the same noise so I just let it go.

Bottom line is, if you figure something out to remedy this please let me know!

Ok, this is getting a bit childish. I wasn't looking for a basic answer like "go try for warranty, or "engines tick." My original post asked specifically for technically inclined people if they could answer a valve adjustment question. You never once even said anything pertaining to my question. I got my answer from 1slow. :tiphat:

So, are you now going to tear down your top end seeing you have an answer? You could have found the answer very easy if you had bothered to read the service manual or google. So keep trying the warranty route because your mechanical knowledge is obviously limited to attempt a DIY. Have a nice day!:tiphat:

The new VQ37VHR heads are NON SERVICEABLE, meaning you cannot adjust the valves. Typically the FSM recommends changing the oil to Nissan Ester oil for ticking and noise issues, which has been documented on the G37 forums (and on here) to stop the ticking. I hope you're still under warranty, because the only other alternative after this point short of dealing with it is head replacement if your SM deems it is necessary.

Man I'm so anal I have no doubt I will find a fix. If I have to build my internals, then that's what I'll do. Currently though, I wrote Nissan Consumer Affairs a lengthy letter letting them know that if it isn't fixed, it should be replaced. They actually called me back within a week to let me know that they are very sorry and they have heard of previous complaints, and they are looking into a fix. It seems to me that its a somewhat isolated problem, since a lot of people dont have it. It has been well documented by Infiniti, but Nissan is a bit behind. My advice to anyone having this ticking issue to write a letter to Nissan so that they can issue a TSB. The more people complain, the more chances of it getting approached by Nissan.