Ticking sound. Possibly timing belt issue?

hyunsoo1803 · 11-16-2011, 03:43 AM

I can't hear it when I'm in the car. (Even with the windows down)

But then when I step outside and stand by the fender I could "clearly" hear the ticking noise.

This is not a clutch ticking sound.(As I have heard of them in person)

I recently had maintenance and they said the car is in great condition...

Any thoughts?

Chan Chee Hoe · 11-16-2011, 06:38 AM

VVEL sound.??

m4a1mustang · 11-16-2011, 09:39 AM

Check your oil level. Some valve train noise is 100% normal. If it's bad it could be due to low oil levels.

Fuel injectors are also a bit noisy as well.

corbin09 · 11-16-2011, 09:49 AM

My car ticks like crazy! I have taken it in and they told me injectors.. then they said something about when the exhaust is cold and warming up it can make noise... Nissan is very good at finding reasons to NOT fix our cars.

m4a1mustang · 11-16-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corbin09

My car ticks like crazy! I have taken it in and they told me injectors.. then they said something about when the exhaust is cold and warming up it can make noise... Nissan is very good at finding reasons to NOT fix our cars.

It probably is the injectors. They aren't quiet. I hear them ticking away on my 5.0 at idle as well.

And the exhaust on the Z is very tinny on a cold start for a reason. The ECU holds a high RPM idle to get fluids pumping and warm the car up. This is not a problem. There is no need for a "fix."

MightyBobo · 11-16-2011, 04:09 PM

Its the gentle tapping of the pistons into the valves, massaging them into the proper shape. After a little bit of driving, they'll be shaped to perfection, and you'll gain horsepower.

frost · 11-16-2011, 04:35 PM

The Z is probably one of the noisiest (as far as valvetrain goes) cars I've ever had ... and I've had a lot. Same with the 350z I have. It was bad enough that I thought something was wrong with it, but the dealers tell me that noise is normal :shrug:

vividracing · 11-16-2011, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Its the gentle tapping of the pistons into the valves, massaging them into the proper shape. After a little bit of driving, they'll be shaped to perfection, and you'll gain horsepower.

You should probably add some sort of indicator that you're joking

Keep in mind that a lot of people with little to no knowledge of how an engine works use the internet.

MightyBobo · 11-16-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividracing

You should probably add some sort of indicator that you're joking

Keep in mind that a lot of people with little to no knowledge of how an engine works use the internet.

Yeah yeah, I know. I actually had it typed out, but I thought, "meh, lets see how long it rides".

On the plus side, its not like I told him he needed to fix it by pouring a bottle of the (human consumable) NOS into his gas tank, right?

MightyBobo · 11-16-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

The Z is probably one of the noisiest (as far as valvetrain goes) cars I've ever had ... and I've had a lot. Same with the 350z I have. It was bad enough that I thought something was wrong with it, but the dealers tell me that noise is normal :shrug:

Go listen to some LSX motors. The valvetrain noise is affectionately called "The Sewing Machine".

m4a1mustang · 11-16-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Go listen to some LSX motors. The valvetrain noise is affectionately called "The Sewing Machine".

Frost had an LSX or two!

But yes, the Z is very noisy. People that don't know will think the car is broken but everyone else will understand it's just everything inside the engine happily working away.

frost · 11-16-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Frost had an LSX or two!

But yes, the Z is very noisy. People that don't know will think the car is broken but everyone else will understand it's just everything inside the engine happily working away.

lol, I can think of 6 off the top of my head

370fan · 11-18-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Its the gentle tapping of the pistons into the valves, massaging them into the proper shape. After a little bit of driving, they'll be shaped to perfection, and you'll gain horsepower.

98intrigue · 11-21-2011, 11:00 PM

I hope it's not at bas as my ticking noise.

corbin09 · 11-23-2011, 02:27 PM

98intrigue... I saw you posted you have a ticking noise and had to go read your ENTIRE build thread. Holy sh!t you have bad luck... I hope you get everything fixed.

11-16-2011, 03:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
hyunsoo1803 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 556 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 16	Ticking sound. Possibly timing belt issue? I can't hear it when I'm in the car. (Even with the windows down) But then when I step outside and stand by the fender I could "clearly" hear the ticking noise. This is not a clutch ticking sound.(As I have heard of them in person) I recently had maintenance and they said the car is in great condition... Any thoughts? __________________ \|Stillen\|KW\|Volks\|Evo-R\|Bridgestone\|Hotchikis\|Project Kics\|Southbend\|Berk\|Status\|Innovate\|Nismo\|Greddy\|

11-16-2011, 09:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Check your oil level. Some valve train noise is 100% normal. If it's bad it could be due to low oil levels. Fuel injectors are also a bit noisy as well. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

11-16-2011, 04:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	Its the gentle tapping of the pistons into the valves, massaging them into the proper shape. After a little bit of driving, they'll be shaped to perfection, and you'll gain horsepower. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-21-2011, 11:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
98intrigue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Clearwater, FL Age: 38 Posts: 4,855 Drives: 2014 Viper Rep Power: 429	I hope it's not at bas as my ticking noise. __________________ Ryan - 2014 Stryker Green Viper Gone - a few Vipers and a couple turbo VQs

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ticking sound in hatch area when car is hot	z it go	Intake/Exhaust	13	06-18-2011 07:19 PM
Ticking sound over 4000rpm, driver's side	Super Tanooki	Engine & Drivetrain	10	04-08-2011 05:03 PM
Ticking sound from right side of motor.....	atx370z	Engine & Drivetrain	3	04-02-2011 10:07 PM
Ticking Sound on top of engine...	zZSportZz	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	40	03-17-2011 04:08 PM
370z. Timing belt or chain? I hope it has a	carlos3366	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	14	12-21-2009 11:41 AM

11-16-2011, 06:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chan Chee Hoe Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 861 Drives: 370z,Yellow,7sp A Rep Power: 17	VVEL sound.??

11-16-2011, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 279	My car ticks like crazy! I have taken it in and they told me injectors.. then they said something about when the exhaust is cold and warming up it can make noise... Nissan is very good at finding reasons to NOT fix our cars.

11-23-2011, 02:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
corbin09 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas tx Posts: 665 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 279	98intrigue... I saw you posted you have a ticking noise and had to go read your ENTIRE build thread. Holy sh!t you have bad luck... I hope you get everything fixed.