[ScarCrow28]

Iv'e a 93 B13 4dr Sentra XE. Lately i've noticed that my engine seems to have a rapid ticking sound. now i don 't have much experience with engines but i believe it might be the valves or springs. is it possible for variable valve timing engines like the GA's to have this quick ticking. its really not that loud, most people probably would even notice it becase its so fast. If it is a valve problem, is it a do it your self fix? i have been looking for problems like this because i've noticed i'm not getting the high mpg that has been rated for the car. (38 mpg) the most i've gotten is 31-32mpg. i do have 140, thou on the OD, but shouldn't it do better then that on the highway? this kind of driving accounts for 80- 90% of the miles i put on it. just like the prevoius owner before me.

Also, i am currently running Bosch Platium plugs. i have seen many times that NGK's are recommended and Bosch is highly un- recommended but is there any real data to back up this? i found on the Sentra.net site the recomendation and why Bosch arn't nice, but admits there was no testing done. the reason i hesistate with NGK"s is because they are 10$ each. a bit expensive. will NGK's raise my gas mileage over the Bosch Plat's that are in there now?

 

[92 Sinatra]

engine "ticking"

ScarCrow,

When does your engine make that sound? At idle or under load? Can you hear it inside the car, or do you have to raise the hood?

To the best of my knowledge (and of course I don't yet have 70K on my car), the valves will complain most under medium-hard acceleration & make a rattling noise: kind of a clattering. That's how I know my valves need adjustment ere long. From what I've read you have to get special tools, which means it might be better to let a dealership do it (if you know one with a good reputation).

As far as Bosch platinum plugs: they've worked fine for me. I put 46K on a set & only changed them because I wanted to. But I do tend to agree that the ones with extra grounded electrodes are silly.

 

[LexKyB13]

variable valve timing (vvt) is only found on VE series motors, the GA has variably timed cam (vtc). also, are you sure its coming from the head? could it be coming from an injector? my #1 injector started ticking about 3 weeks before it stopped working. take it to someone who knows nissans and has dealt with this problem before.

 

[ace]

Hi,
is that rapid ticking sound somewhat a buzzing type sound as well?

I had a similar sound whenever I turned my aircon on. Didn't take long before the compressor died and some burning smell came thru the aircon vent.

Might help to see if this sound comes on when the aircon is on.

Just my 2c worth.

g'luck.

 

[ScarCrow28]

oh jeeze, i completely forgot about this thread

but no there is no buzzing, jsut a clicking sound. it could be the injectors, but it sounds too loud, unless they get louder when they are clogged or whatever.

i can also hear what i think is the timing chain moving around.
i'm planning to change the o2 sensor and clean out the throttle body as i have read helps with gas mileage. also a throro check of the plug wires. i'm not sure how to check injectors.

 

[javierb14]

if u have valve clatter at startup, try using a OEM Nissan oil filter the next time u change ur oil. from my experience, the fram/bosch/auto-zone filters dont have a anti drain back valve like the OEM.

 

[ScarCrow28]

What about Penzoil? that is the kind of filters i use. with Havoline 5-30. and always try to by TEXACO fuel.

i used to get a bit of fluxuating mileage when i was filling up at any station i could find. mostly between Texaco and Getty. then i have noticed that i seem to get not only slightly better gas mileage, but its more stable when sticking with Texaco. i now average about 30mpg, but i have been doing a bit more city driving since my first post. so this seems acceptable. not to mention it has gotten a bit hotter out.

i never really noticed if the noise is still present when the engine has been running for a while. that is one thing i will check out.

 

[PatScottAKA99XE]

variable valve timing (vvt) is only found on VE series motors, the GA has variably timed cam (vtc). also, are you sure its coming from the head? could it be coming from an injector? my #1 injector started ticking about 3 weeks before it stopped working. take it to someone who knows nissans and has dealt with this problem before.

The GA has variable valve timming.. The cam phasing(timming as you put it) action is what times the cams, which in turn operate the vavles. The phasing action opens them at different times dependant on operating conditions. The VE's have varible timming as well as variable lift thats what makes them different.

As for injector noise.. Nissans are known for loud injectors. Some of the loudest I have heard( as a tech I hear a lot of them).

 

[javierb14]

also, if youre going to replace your injectors....replace them all at the same time. they tend to all go bad around the same time. my old b13 had one go then 2 more about a month later.

 

[ScarCrow28]

After checking my timming again this week, make sure it hasn't moved. i noticed that the sound does not go away once the engine is warm. i took my ear to the injectors and i believe that either #3 or #4 is making the sound. so the injectors seems to be the problem. i dont hear this noise in the header, just on top of the engine. i guess thats a good sign. so if indeed its the injector, how do you change these? and how much is it for new ones. i should go with OEM injectors right?

P.S. i don't know anyone in the Lewiston Auburn or Portland aeras(two aeras i am the most frequently in) who i can trust and are well known to nissans. and i'd really hate to pay 40 somewad bucks an hour if this is something i can find and fix myself.
maybe PatScottAKA99XE or scott can help me out with this?

 

[PatScottAKA99XE]

Dont forget guys, Injectors can be cleaned as well. AS for helping you out..Scott is probly closer then me. They are pretty easy to replace.. If you do decide to do it yourself drop me a line and ill give ya some pointers.

 

[ScarCrow28]

how do you clean injectors? don't say STP fuel treatment, i have already done that a while back. though it wasn't stp

i'm still getting that SE-R gas mileage, without the preformance. too bad it wasn't the other way around

 

[PatScottAKA99XE]

You have to have them sent out to a place that cleans them. They soak them in a "secret sauce", flow test them, ect. I am not sure how much it costs, you may be better off getting new ones. I would be sure thats your problem first.

 

[ScarCrow28]

so how do i make sure? any good shops that do free estimates or somthin?

 

[95 SentraB13]

i can also hear what i think is the timing chain moving around.
It could be your timing chaing sprocket guides....
Check out this thread, sounds like you could have the same problem and Liuspeed:

http://www.nissanforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=28401#post28401

Greg

 

[ScarCrow28]

it doesn't sound llike its loose or anything, just a noisy chain. i hear the new engines have been designed specially for quietness.
i am leaning to the fuel injector #4 as the culprate for the clicking noises. i didn't know injectors clicked, so i was woried i had a valve topping out, or bottoming out or whatever they do. i never heard either noise before. my mom's taurus seems to have developed a loud noise similar. but i havn't even poped the hood to investigate yet