So I changed my oil again this weekend after a long trip to Maine. Used Mobil 5w30 and a Mobil oil filter. I used 4.25 quarts. I took it out for a spin around the block (didn't go above 30mph) and all was fine.
When i started the enginethe next day, I heard a weird noise. To me it sounds like the lifters. It's like a clicking sound coming from the engine. I know this can't be good. I've changed oil a million times before without a problem.

Any ideas on what this could be? Thanks

 

The famous timing chain rattle?

 

Is that what it could be? I don't know much about the topic.

 

try to make an audio file, its never easy to tell my description

 

I don't have anything that could record it. It's just a shame that I take care of this car so well and there are constantly problems.

 

When does it happen? At WOT?

 

It's there at idle and driving. I'm afraid to take it out so i haven't tried WOT.

 

listen thru a piece of hose (tranny hose or fuel line will do) to i.d. the location of the clicking sound.

does the clicking sound get faster and louder when you tap the pedal?

 

It does get faster when i tap the pedal. Are we on to something here?!?

 

Sounds like the same problem I had. Mine was a screw that came loose and went down into the engine and the piston was banging on it. At least thats what the dealer said. Funny, mine happened the day after I got my oil changed from the dealer. I still think they did something wrong. Is there some coincidence here.

 

I find that a little strange. I did the oil change myself and the only screw that gets removed is under the car. I just don't think that can be it in my case. I'll be going to the dealer tonight. We shall see. Thanks for your input.

 

hmmm....I know several SC'ed peeps who've blown their engine have that a clicking/tapping sound at idle and during driving. It has to do with the piston ring. The clicking noise is kinda loud....and I dunno how does your sound. But this may not be your case and I dun want you to get worried. I would first try to find where the noise is coming from. if from the valve cover or near the firewall, I would check the spark plugs and make sure they are in good shape. If it is bent and has no gap, re-gap them and see if the noise is gone.

 

A little off topic on the noise problem, but I always put 5 quartz of oil. Am I putting in too much?

 

have you checked your dipstick?

 

The manual says 4.25 i believe. Putting in 4.5 won't do anything, but i don't know about 5.

[Maxi-]... The noise is definitely in the piston area. Is it possible that it could be spark plugs after only 12k miles?

If it has to do with the piston ring, what could cause that and what is involved to fix it? I apologize for the questions. I'm just trying to go in there with some knowledge of what it could be.
Thanks

 

I wouldnt worry about it too much and I dont want to scare you. I didnt see your car or hear the noise so I am just telling you on what I know about this kinda noise.

anyways, back to your question:
it could~ if something went in or the engine is no good off the factory line. You have a 2k2 and you are still under warranty. if you dont want to look into it, you can have the dealer do it.

to fix it...I thik it is easier to replace an engine than do the repair because it takes a long tiem to disassemble the engine and then there are a lot of measurement that you have to do when you put everyting back together.


if you want to look into it....check the spark plugs first.


oh~ one more thing that I forgot to ask....do you have a blinking check engine light? if so, I am pretty sure it is the spark plug.

 

oh~ one more thing that I forgot to ask....do you have a blinking check engine light? if so, I am pretty sure it is the spark plug. [/B][/QUOTE]


I had a solid SES light that came on during my trip and before my oil change. It bothered me to see it so i just unplugged the battery for a day and it went away.

 

if it doesnt come back, then it is ok. blinking CEL means a piston(s) has misfired...usually happened when a plug is not working or bad ignition coil.

 

It says 4 5/8 (with filter change)

 

So, i went to Koeppel Nissan on Northern Blvd in Queens. I've had numerous issues with there service, but decided to try one more time because of the convenience. Let's just say. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOBODY GO TO KOEPPEL NISSAN FOR ANY REASON!!

First, they changed their policy. They now require an appt to be made before bringing it in. I get there and the service advisor is ****ed that i'm there, but asked rudely to hear my problem. I begin to tell him about the engine and he goes...It's probably your gas, what do you use? I told him Mobil 93 Octane. He said that that's probably why. I tell him that there have been any issues for 12k miles. He didn't even want to listen to what i had to say. He just kept cutting me off. Then he tells me that he can't look at it until Monday. I said, you know what?, that's fine. I didn't make an appt so i guess that's what i get.

I go into the room to discuss the issue further. I ask him if he can come to the car with me and hear what i'm talking about. He abruptly tells me NO. I said why not. He said, I haven't been a tech in a long time and i wouldn't know what to listen for.

This fukc was not willing to help me out at all. I then ask him if he can get a tech to come with us and just have him listen. I did not want to leave it there for 3 days and then have it denied for "could not duplicate problem". He tells he won't have anyone even look at it until Monday (They are open Sat and Sunday). So, I tell him to go F himself and I'm going to Starr Nissan. I should have gone there from the start. So, i hope to have an answer by tomorrow.

 

sorry to hear about this....hope everything is fine. keep us updated and I would file a complaint on that stupid service advisor.

 

Er, did he tell you that the Mobil gas was causing the problem specifically?

Here's a quick story... Back in the day my dad was an area rep for Shell for the LA area... Someone bought a Cadillac and it developed some kind of engine problem. They of course took it into the dealer. The service advisor asked what type of gas they were using and the customer told them Shell. The service advisor tells the customer it was the Shell brand gas that caused the problem! Not "it might have been a bad batch", or "you need to use higher octane gas", but "Shell gasonline isn't any good."

So... the customer ends up calling Shell and telling them about the gas that is ruining their new car. My dad pays a visit to the dealership... turns out oil companies take comments like the one the service advisor made very seriously. These kind of things can cause lawsuits/etc. The service advisor turns white, retracts his comments and generally said he didn't know WTF he was talking about. He just needed something to blame the problem on for the customer.

Anyway - if your service advisor told you that Mobil gasoline was messing up your engine give a friendly call to the Mobil company and tell them. I'm sure they'll help you out.