car started making a funny sound a little while ago. it only happens when im accelerating. Its sounds like chick chick chick,and im sure its coming from the engine bay, not the exhaust. any ideas? thanks in advance

 

btw its a 1991 maxima se 5spd. 98,000 miles

 

sounds like exhaust studs very common on the VG maxima. Do a search and you will find tons of info on exhaust studs.

 

so i can just replace the bolts?

 

yes you can replace them, just as long as you pay and it's not an easy job and most likely it's the exhaust studs located in the back by the fire wall which makes it much harder. I recommend taking this to a good mechanic and make sure you get good quality studs so ths never happens. This job will run you a lot and expect to pay.

 

you will have to get them drilled out. Thats not as easy as it sounds unless the heads are off of the car.

 

what is a good site to order these bolts from? how much do you think it will cost to get those replaced?

 

I think if you call www.courtesyparts.com they stock the new and imporved studs but I might be wrong, if you conduct a search you will find a definte place where to get them.

 

could be your water pump...........

 

why do you say that?

 

what would happen if i were to just ignore this problem? performance loss? just that clicking sound? or would something serious be caused?

 

well yes you would loose power and eventually the noise get worser and worser.

 

Only when you're accelerating? It's not spark knock is it? Or pinging?

 

yes, or at least i can only hear it when im accelerating. dont know what spark knock is and its not pinging. i use 93 octane, just like the manual says...

 

Mine goes away after it warms up. Mechanics I spoke with(private garages and Nissan) said it only had to be fixed if it bothered me that much, otherwise no ill effects. It's passed the emissions with no problems in the 6+ years I've had it...

 

mine doesnt go away, sounds like its gotten a little louder

 

Expect to pay around $500 for an exhaust stud job. The parts were cheap, but labor just r@ped me. They had to take a ton of parts off and and do some heavy duty extracting. Not to mention it is a dangerous job...drill to far in and your through a cylinder wall. Just something to think about if you decide to do it on your own.

 

exactly if you're going to get it done, get it done by a professional certified technician.

 

geez, seems like since ive got this car all ive done is fix it. and this will be the most expensive. hehe, and i thought i was finally done with it...