Videos are up now below.

Something horrible happened this morning.

I have a 2k2 6spd Max, 98k miles. I got into my car this morning and started my car, IMMEDIATELY I heard an inconsistent knocking, when I say inconsistent I mean that I would get a rapid fire knock like every 2 to 8 seconds that would last a couple of seconds. This knock sounded like somebody doing a drum roll with a small hammer inside the front top half of the motor. This is NOT a spark knock, it is something slapping or hitting something inside the motor.......I turned the car off right away.
A few minutes later I started it up for someone to assist in diagnosing it, this time it was a consistent rapid fire knock that seemed to get worse. I ran the car for less than a minute.
The car is not missing. It seems by all accounts to run fine, just with a loud knocking.

Backtrack: I bought this car with 75k on the clock from a bank manager who babied it with 3k oil changes (receipts for proof) and garaged it's entire life.
I did the same (though no garage) and switched the oil changes to Amsoil Signature Select 0w30 25,000 mile oil (though I changed it every 8k).
I've took care of this car, sure I've got on it a couple of times, but this car has been taken car of and well maintained.
I have noticed that it tends to burn some oil, it looked to be 3/4 of a quart low today, I have 2500 miles on this oil change.

I just don't understand it, I bought this car so I wouldn't have to hassle with something like this, I wanted something "bulletproof".

It's been suggested that the oil needs to be analyzed, I'll get on that.

Do you guys have any other advice or explanation as to what exactly the problem is?

VIDEO: With valve cover. Click here.

VIDEO: Without valve cover. Click here.

VIDEO: Without valve cover. Click here.

Andy

my girls car had a similar knock like that one, turn out to be a broken timing chain guide .

Was it a maxima? That's a little loud and a little random to sound like a guide.

whatever that sound is it is not coming from the block IMO.if it was a con rod knock it wouldn't do it at idle or change paces.if it was a crank knock it would do it at idle but it would keep a steady knock not change.just my personal experience on engines i've owned that have knocked.and i have had both kind of knocks.

hmm.. yeah, see id figure that she wouldnt be knocking That inconsistantly at idle.. odd..

Sounds like a lifter/rocker arm to me. Rod knock has a deeper sound and wouldn't be as fast as that at idle.

It sounds like its from the top end, and its too rapid at idle to be rod bearings.

Im leaning to a lifter problem, or perhaps your motor swallowed a screw.

Its funny because i was looking at a maxima with the EXACT same problem. 2k2 grey lustre 6spd. i think it was a lifter problem.

Add some oil and see if it goes away.

no it was an altima.

It sounds like a piece of broken metal is loose in the upper part of the engine

I used 5w30 oil and put 93 octance in my car even with the outstanding gas prices... do you do the same because i have no knocking...