Lifters
08-22-2004, 10:47 PM
#1
Lifters
After about a 400 mile drive this weekend I get back home with a noisy lifter. Just before I left I changed the oil.(changed every 2500-3k) Now one of the lifters on the rear bank of cylinders is ticking. I think it's been ticking slightly for a while now, but its loud now. The constant 75-80mph too much for it or what?This is on my 91 SE btw. Is it very difficult to replace a lifter? Do I replace the whole rocker arm?
08-23-2004, 09:07 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 476
Yeah, I would bet that it's a broken exhaust manifold stud or two. Nissan used crappy studs on our motors. Is it louder when teh car is cold? Does it get louder under load? Pop the hood, start it up, and rev it from the throttle body and listen.
08-23-2004, 10:00 AM
#6
I could be a noisy hydraulic lifter. If for some reason the oil inside it doesn't fill it up all the way, the cam will just slap the lifter around and make noise. It could be "stuck" like you mentioned. Not sure on the answer. You could try some Seafoam in the oil. Run it for about 100 miles and change the oil.
It could also be a noisy fuel injector also. Although I've never had one be especially loud.
I doubt it's an exhaust manifold stud. They usually screech and then quiet down. But it might make some odd swooshing/chirping noises if they leak all the time.
Is the noise the same when the engine is cold and warm? If yes, it's probably not the exhaust man stud.
It could also be a noisy fuel injector also. Although I've never had one be especially loud.
I doubt it's an exhaust manifold stud. They usually screech and then quiet down. But it might make some odd swooshing/chirping noises if they leak all the time.
Is the noise the same when the engine is cold and warm? If yes, it's probably not the exhaust man stud.
Originally Posted by 91WBSE
After about a 400 mile drive this weekend I get back home with a noisy lifter. Just before I left I changed the oil.(changed every 2500-3k) Now one of the lifters on the rear bank of cylinders is ticking. I think it's been ticking slightly for a while now, but its loud now. The constant 75-80mph too much for it or what?This is on my 91 SE btw. Is it very difficult to replace a lifter? Do I replace the whole rocker arm?
08-23-2004, 10:23 AM
#7
I know for a fact it is not anything to do with the exhaust manifold studs. This is definately a noisy lifter/hydraulic lash adjuster. It sounds like the valves on my 83 Toyota Celica with the 22RE. When I started it this morning the noise wasn't really there till it warmed up, I guess till the oil was warm and thinner. Anyways.....anyone ever replaced one of these?
08-23-2004, 10:28 AM
#9
Replacement is a pain. It would take the removal of the intake manifold and the valve covers. Then probably the cam to access the lifter itself. Maybe when you are due for a T-belt change or something.
Originally Posted by 91WBSE
I know for a fact it is not anything to do with the exhaust manifold studs. This is definately a noisy lifter/hydraulic lash adjuster. It sounds like the valves on my 83 Toyota Celica with the 22RE. When I started it this morning the noise wasn't really there till it warmed up, I guess till the oil was warm and thinner. Anyways.....anyone ever replaced one of these?
08-23-2004, 10:32 AM
#10
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Replacement is a pain. It would take the removal of the intake manifold and the valve covers. Then probably the cam to access the lifter itself. Maybe when you are due for a T-belt change or something.
08-23-2004, 10:39 AM
#13
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
I'd still make absolutely sure it's the lifter. Or try some other easy solutions before tearing into the engine. How does the valve train look? Nice alumin color? Or dark varnishy color?
08-23-2004, 11:06 AM
#14
well u should really replace them as a set. what's good about the OHV is once u pull the valve cover it's all there.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
08-23-2004, 12:53 PM
#15
Originally Posted by DanNY
well u should really replace them as a set. what's good about the OHV is once u pull the valve cover it's all there.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
Cool thanks for the info........So the cam doesn't have to be removed?
My engine is sounds like a VE right now.......
.....just a little more quiet 
08-23-2004, 01:23 PM
#16
So Dan, if you pry the rocker off, there's enough room to remove the lifter w/o it hitting the cam? If so, that would be great.
Originally Posted by DanNY
well u should really replace them as a set. what's good about the OHV is once u pull the valve cover it's all there.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
to get to the back one you might need to pull off the upper intake manifold.
rotate until the cam is not pushing on the rocker arm. take off the rocker shaft and pop those lifters out. it's almost like a puzzle. just have to torque and unbolt everything in the right sequence.
08-23-2004, 01:27 PM
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by 91WBSE
Cool thanks for the info........So the cam doesn't have to be removed?
My engine is sounds like a VE right now....... .....just a little more quiet
My engine is sounds like a VE right now.......
.....just a little more quiet
08-23-2004, 01:31 PM
#18
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Originally Posted by MrGone
do you understand the concept of an OHC engine, and are you aware that your car has one?
check the exhaust studs first
check the exhaust studs first
Thanks
08-23-2004, 01:41 PM
#19
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
So Dan, if you pry the rocker off, there's enough room to remove the lifter w/o it hitting the cam? If so, that would be great.
i'm saying take the entire rocker arm assembly out of the motor including the lifters. the rocker arms rides on a bar. the cam is in between the 2 bars.
08-23-2004, 01:41 PM
#20
Originally Posted by 94M@X
Are the manifold studs expensive? How long would replaceing them take? (2 or 3 busted) I think that is my problem. I am getting allot of noise from the manifold. Thought I had a leak in the exaust somewhere specifically the y-pipe, but after listening to it ith the car on a lift it is comeing from the manifild.
Thanks
Thanks
check for a trail of black soot. that's a pretty good sign u have an exhaust leak.
08-23-2004, 01:45 PM
#21
Oh yeah. Forgot. On the ve, the lifter pivot on a stud and pushed down by the cam. You can take them off individually.
Originally Posted by DanNY
well the rockers arms would be off the engine. the lifter is just inserted into the rocker.
i'm saying take the entire rocker arm assembly out of the motor including the lifters. the rocker arms rides on a bar. the cam is in between the 2 bars.
i'm saying take the entire rocker arm assembly out of the motor including the lifters. the rocker arms rides on a bar. the cam is in between the 2 bars.
08-23-2004, 02:59 PM
#22
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Originally Posted by DanNY
check for a trail of black soot. that's a pretty good sign u have an exhaust leak.
08-23-2004, 04:10 PM
#24
Originally Posted by 94M@X
Ypipe is 6 months old (warpeseed) and Cat seems to be in ok condition. Heat shield broke off a month ago. I didnt see any traces of black soot? should I be looking on the manifold?
08-25-2004, 10:01 AM
#27
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 611
Have the same problem... I know that sometimes with oil changes or filters the sound is intermittent. I am skeptical about the Marvel's Mystery oil, but I will try and see what happens before I have to tear into the engine...
08-26-2004, 08:44 AM
#28
I'll never use any oil additives in my engine......This weekend I'm gonna take the valve cover off and replace the lifters. Doesn't look like it's that hard to do. I don't even like driving the car right now with it making the ticking, cause the engine was so quiet before. Oh well, new lifter/lifters and it should be silent again 
08-27-2004, 01:44 PM
#29
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 611
[QUOTE=91WBSE]I'll never use any oil additives in my engine......This weekend I'm gonna take the valve cover off and replace the lifters. Doesn't look like it's that hard to do. I don't even like driving the car right now with it making the ticking, cause the engine was so quiet before. Oh well, new lifter/lifters and it should be silent again
Yeah, I am skeptical about any oil additives as well, how much did you find the lifters for?
Yeah, I am skeptical about any oil additives as well, how much did you find the lifters for?
08-28-2004, 01:28 AM
#30
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Head 
Danno
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Oh yeah. Forgot. On the ve, the followers pivot on a stud and pushed down by the cam. You can take them off individually.
08-28-2004, 11:33 PM
#31
[QUOTE=crsmax]
I bought the new lifters at a nearby Nissan dealer for $12.57 a piece. I replaced them today and the engine is silent again. Being that it was the rear cylinder head that had the bad lifter, I didn't have to remove the intake only remove some hoses and wires. Took me about 1 1/2 hrs at the most. Very easy job
Originally Posted by 91WBSE
I'll never use any oil additives in my engine......This weekend I'm gonna take the valve cover off and replace the lifters. Doesn't look like it's that hard to do. I don't even like driving the car right now with it making the ticking, cause the engine was so quiet before. Oh well, new lifter/lifters and it should be silent again
Yeah, I am skeptical about any oil additives as well, how much did you find the lifters for?
Yeah, I am skeptical about any oil additives as well, how much did you find the lifters for?
09-01-2004, 01:36 PM
#32
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 100
I have the clicking as well, but it goes as follows: when the engine is cold, it doesn't click and when the engine is hot, I can hear the clicking until about 3000rpms. When the car is in neutral, or no load, it hardly clicks when it is hot. When the car is under load, and at low rpms, it is really bad. suggestions?
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