My 92se w/ 175000 miles is having several problems.

1) Loud ticking noise from engine that started w/ only happening periodically & would stop when reving engine. Now is much louder & is all the time. Was told it was probably a rocker arm & causes no damage to car-just annoying to hear. Is this true - or will it cause more problems, do I need to get this fixed soon? - or could it be something else althogether?

2) "whirling" high pitched sound when in reverse

3) back automatic window not working & window works it way down on bumby roads

4) now something new: when shifting gears rpm quickly runs up high then just as quickly falls down


Any help w/ these greatly appreciated - I am a female who's not much mechanically inclined & don't want to get ripped off by mechanics!! I bought the card used at approx. 160,000 miles, previouse owner took very good care of car (it seemed), but been one new thing after another since I bought it. Anything I should be doing for maintenance besides oil change every 3 -4000 miles (pennzoil 10w-30). Should I change to synthetic oil or use gas cleaners?

 

First off the ticking noise under the hood are your shot VTCs. You need a new regulator for your back windows and probably the others soon enough if they haven't been replaced yet. There's a couple peeps in TX that I'm sure wouldn't mind helping a lass out.

 

shot VTCs? what is this & how serious? Any "peeps" near me that wouldn't mind taking a look?

 

http://www.4dsc.com/articles/drivetrain/vtc/vtc.shtml

That's a little info on VTCs... I can't really get too in depth I'm not as saavy on the VE engines as I'd like to be so I hope a VE guy will pick this thread up...

 

Is your transmission an automatic or manual? I've got a VG, so I can't really help you on the VTC's. The window regulator problem is common to all 3rd Gen models, so there is lots of info here on the site. I haven't done it personally, but I have read that the parts can be had for about $60-$70, and it is a pretty easy fix from there. I live in Sachse (northeast of Garland) so I am not too far from you. If you are over this way, let me know and maybe I can look at it.

 

the vtc failure plagues all VE30DE motors eventually. you have a 92-94 se with the 190 horse motor. the vtc's or variable timing cams are not cheap to replace. Brand new ones are about 400 bucks each i just got a quote from courtesy nissan. You can have them rebuilt for less however usually they live to tick again. New ones are supposed to be stronger then the old ones. What happens is the vtc's are hydralic they are actuated by oil pressure at a certain RPM. they are also the last thing to get oil when the motor is started. the springs inside get worn over time and eventually the "advance" stays advanced and dosent retard. hence the ticking., it wont really cause you much problem except a loud drive train. yes its annoying my 93 se has had it 4 2 years now. i just dont have 800 bucks to get new ones right now. or the time to tear the heads apart.

 

the whirring in reverse is a sign that your tranny needs to be rebuilt soon. around 140k is the typical rebuild time for us. spendy though