Got this weird ticking noise in the engine, it comes and goes and can sometimes sound like a diesel. I have a 2002 Maxima SE with 140,000 miles mostly highway miles. Its running full Amsoil 5W30 and has a stillen intake. I just also found that my radiator is cracked on top. Wondering if anyone has experienced any of these problems? HELP!!

 

Does it go away at higher rpms? My 626 was making a noise similar to what you describe and it was the timing belt tensioner.

Can you make a .wav file of the noise?

 

It could be your valves tapping not sure if these engines have self adjusting valves or manual though. Some one else on here could probably clarify that.

 

Mine ticks as well. I think it might just be the timing chain rattle that is common among maxes. Mine has done it since 29k when I bought it so I don't think its anything too serious. I could be wrong. Let me know.

 

could be a rocker getting starved for oil, does it sound kinda like a marble rolling around??

 

could be a piston slap

 

check your oil level if it is low, top it off. It's probbly the timing chain from the burning of oil, common in all 3.5's

 

inability to describe a sound makes things hard for us

pinging - valves, use the proper gas
rattle - timing chain, low oil pressure or bad tensioner

both could be called "ticking"i guess, but a bad description

 

many of 5.5 gen maxima have rattle problem, including mine. Shouldn't be a big problem

 

My friend told me to take a 3 foot aluminum or metal rod/scrap (non conductive if possible) and placed it on various areas on the block with the other end in my fist held to my ear. I look pretty stupid but I could hear stuff. I pinpointed the ticking coming from my alternator. I didn't take my friend seriously but now I owe him.

 

Is it like this?

 

Is it a lifter?

 

It's an 'er, but more like an injector x6.

 

mine does that too...there is nothing wrong with my car..no CEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9FDefVBUTo

 

i got the same issue, but this sound gets a lot more significant when the car is warm. been wondering what could it be. no codes !!

 

Yeah, my 03 had a tick too...wife's car..I took it on vaca and ran it..no more tick.

 

+1 on having the same sound... have had it for past 10k... took it to the dealer, they said i need my timing chain replaced and they quoted it to be a couple gs... so i said **** that.

 

Hey what was that noise my timing chain was just replaced and I hear that noise now 2 months later