A lot of details to follow as im desperate for answers and want to provide as much context as i can.

I actually drive a nissan cefiro JDM, but there are 0 forums and the maxima is almost the exact same. The best equivalent to my car is a 1995 nissan maxima SE, though i have a few things on my car that are "newer" such as a spoiler and market alarm.

I drive a VQ25DE engine that was in poor condition maintenance wise when I purchased it. (sat for about 2 years, and hadn't been regularly serviced for approx 4 years before that, more occasionally). This car is extremely sentimental, as i bought it off my grandfather that is sick with dementia - hence the poor maintenance in the 5 years before i bought it from him.

A month or so after i bought the car, serviced it and drove it home i noticed an insane ticking sound that speeds up when accelerating. It's worse when its cold, still loud when engine is warm, just not as much. Its a fast tick on idle, about 2-3 ticks per second and while its loud doesnt sound like a knock. Looked through engine cap and to be honest - it looked like the inside of a teenagers disgusting bong. Sludge and resin looking silt everywhere, nothing was mentioned to me by the mechanic that serviced the car. The oil level was also high at the time, so i took it to a mechanic that accused ME of putting too much oil in and potentially slipping my timing belt. Pulled out the papers, showed mechanic did it, and used the recommended oil amount. was then quoted 2.7k to repair the timing belt (on only 77,000miles). Couldnt afford it and didnt trust his opinion (he looked at it for about 3 mins total. i did not book in for a diagnosis, just asked an opinion) so i left. Other people ive spoken to have insisted its lifter tick given the miles on the engine, and that theres no way its timing chain related but im not certain.

The car is now on 140,000km (86,991 miles) and i bought it at about 123,000kms (76,428 miles) Ive driven the car like this for about a year since, and despite regular servicing and an engine flush with a penrite fluid, nothing has stopped this sound. The last 5 months have had a slight loss of power, and an engine strain from 2-3rd gear. It sounds like its coming from under the timing cover, or around the outer belts. Ive stuck my phone down there and tried to see where its louder, but its so loud that it almost feels like it doesnt have a source. tick is so loud it reflects off cars when i pass them with the window down.

Ive done work on it in the last two years in my very little spare time so i will provide further things i fixed that may be related:
foul smelling/rusty spark plugs that were replaced at about 132,000kms - im concerned i have a poor seal somewhere, as it occasionally drips and is a VQ engine that is on a coastal island (rust is a big issue in cars here) so im almost certain at least one gasket is leaking somewhere lol.
Four oil changes and filter changes (excluding fuel injectors and fuel filter), noticed sludge in engine when i initially discovered sound, hence more frequent changes. Flushed engine on last service and cleaned out engine pan. Virtually no sludge in engine anymore
As mentioned above, resealed oil pan, small amount of sludge sludge cleaned out of bottom of pan.
Wheel bearing on front left wheel and rear suspension replaced, though the front is due for a replacement as well.we think the car was in an accident on the front left side taking impact - no frame damage though just consistent issues with the same side of the car in terms.

I'll try to attach a video to this of the sound. Its possible it just needs a proper lifter clean or theres something wrong the chain/tensioner. Im due to replace the valve cover gasket seals (sparkplugs indicated a leak) so will try to see into the lifter condition then.

I live in New Zealand, and nobody i mean NOBODY has a manual for my car, not even nissan dealerships. Apologies if me posting here is an inconvenience. I promise if you guys help me ill mod this car the **** out and drive like a dream. lol. ngaa mihi.

 

For starters, here’s your manual: http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/1995/

Although I didn’t thoroughly read your details, based on what I am able to glean from your outline, and assuming that you’re able to maintain the proper motor oil level, three potential causes of your noise come to mind …

(1) the hydraulic timing chain tensioner is worn:

(2) the camshaft position sensor is in need of replacement;

(3) one or both of the crankshaft position sensors are in need of replacement.

 

It would have a timing chain and not a belt, I was a mechanic for 10yrs and saw many vehicles with overfilled oil and have yet to see overfilled oil cause a chain to skip teeth. General rule of thumb for noises that aren't obvious from the belt area is to remove the serpentine belt(s) and idle the engine stationary (don't drive it because you wont have power steering obviously). If the noise goes away, you know its an accessory (AC compressor, alternator, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, power steering pump, whatever) making the noise. If it still makes the noise, it's inside the engine. I would agree with the above it sounds like timing chain tensioner/guide issues to me as well but if you can upload a video that would be best because it's not good to just guess what the issue is. Just make a burner YouTube account and post it there

 

[QUOTE=Turbobink;9259038]For starters, here’s your manual: http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/1995/


Literally laughed for about a minute straight seeing the manual I searched so high and low for - thank you so much. For some reason every time I searched here that specific manual was stuck behind a paywall and I wasn’t committed enough to pay 50NZD for it.

About the oil level, it’s usually pretty stable and I always put the right amount in but sometimes that line creeps up. It’s winter here and I’ve had the odd run on it when the engine is still cold so it’s either that or I have a head gasket leak. If that doesn’t change any opinions on your outlook though I’ll definitely try that out. I also think it’s to do with the tensioner, paying to replace a chain that isn’t broken seems stupid to me.

Appreciate the manual so much, it’s not even funny. This has made working on my car so much better as only two people ever make YouTube videos for the maxima equivalent to mine.

Idk if other users get notified of replies but I’ll try get the belts off and see if there’s sounds on them and upload. If the sound continues I’ll put them back on and show the sounds through the gears as the speed depends on the gear it’s in (slowest in park and neutral).

 

[QUOTE=Jaykarina;9259041]Not sure if these cars have spedo cable but I had a similar issue with my old truck that made the same sound. Worse in the morning when cold, sometimes it would go away but then come back. For the truck, I could replace or throw some graphite oil with a syringe. I did neither (had not time to work on it), eventually went away. And some yahoo totaled it at 80mph. I hope this helps.