Have a '92 Maxima SE. Upon start-up most mornings, I hear a tapping noise that is quite loud. It can last for a while and may even happen throughout the day. Typically, after the car has been driven for 15 minutes or so, the sound goes away.

The tapping sounds to me like a hydraulic lifter or rocker arm. Do I have lifters in this engine (overhead cam)?

Question....since I have high mileage (just turned 175,000 miles), and have never had the timing chain changed, could the noise be related to the timing chain?

What's the best way to figure out what's making the noise?

Thanks

John

 

Hey, I dont know what that noise is, it could be the VTC things, I don't know. I do know that you had better get the timing chain replaced though and soon too.