Clicking / Ticking Noise.. Possibly arching from plugs? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 04:51 PM

Hey guys,

I hear this weird ticking noise when my car idles, it clicks quicker when rpms increase but only so a certain point... like 2500.

I googled a crap load and thought maybe it was arching from my plugs. I took all the plugs out and cleaned them, checked them for proper gapping and secured everything back down. It still seems to click. I have even messed with my TPS thinking it was something to do with that.

I am running NGK BRK7E gapped at .028

Is this normal? Any suggestions?

Ilya · 07-20-2015, 06:40 PM

That's typical for a car with vtec.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 06:41 PM

I have an sr20. Is that typical then too?

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Beijing_Raccoon · 07-20-2015, 06:41 PM

^Yep.
You didn't even list what car or engine, so the best that can be assumed is something with vtec.

Ilya · 07-20-2015, 06:43 PM

Can you write out the pattern in which it ticks? I'll look it up in my Nissan manual once I know the pattern.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilya

Can you write out the pattern in which it ticks? I'll look it up in my Nissan manual once I know the pattern.

O I don't think I could figure that out. It happens too fast and you can't really pin point exactly where it's coming from.. like which coil pack, etc.

Is it possible that it could be coming from one of the cylinders. Would it be dumb to try and disconnect 1 coil pack at a time to see if it stop the noise or would that cause more problems?

I can try and upload a video when I get a chance

Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

Ilya · 07-20-2015, 06:54 PM

No no no no I need the pattern spelled out. If you post a video then I would have to inerpret the numbers clicking instead of you, and only the true owner can recognize the pattern.

You can try to disconnect the coil packs but you can never disconnect the coilpack in a consecutive direction: example of what I mean. Disconnect cool pack, reconnect coilpack, disconnect coilpack to the right of first coilpack I disconnected, now I can not disconnect a coil pack to the right of the second coilpack because that ruins the pattern so you have to disconnect to the left.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilya

No no no no I need the pattern spelled out. If you post a video then I would have to inerpret the numbers clicking instead of you, and only the true owner can recognize the pattern.

You can try to disconnect the coil packs but you can never disconnect the coilpack in a consecutive direction: example of what I mean. Disconnect cool pack, reconnect coilpack, disconnect coilpack to the right of first coilpack I disconnected, now I can not disconnect a coil pack to the right of the second coilpack because that ruins the pattern so you have to disconnect to the left.

Sorry for my Noobness but how would I go about getting this pattern?

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

burnsauto · 07-20-2015, 07:17 PM

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html

Done.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 07:18 PM

Looks expensive LOL

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2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2plus4plus0eq6

Looks expensive LOL

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

I just clicked the link... my bad... 4 bucks hah

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

cameronfaley · 07-20-2015, 07:34 PM

On a different story excluding spark plugs or coils... A possible clicking/ticking noise could be a lifter tick. But this early on i wouldn't specifically pinpoint that as your problem.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameronfaley

On a different story excluding spark plugs or coils... A possible clicking/ticking noise could be a lifter tick. But this early on i wouldn't specifically pinpoint that as your problem.

Thanks. I'll do some research on that and keep it in back of my mind

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

cameronfaley · 07-20-2015, 07:37 PM

Yeah no problem! Good luck to you!

jr_ss · 07-20-2015, 07:45 PM

What motor is this again? S14 VTC? It's your VTC cam gear. You need to replace it.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-20-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_ss

What motor is this again? S14 VTC? It's your VTC cam gear. You need to replace it.

Ya it's a zenki s14 sr20. You've had this problem before? Can't be fixed, just replace the cam gear?

EDIT: I just watch some youtube videos, and the noise I am getting is no where near as loud as the ones in these videos. Its not a rattle. It literally sounds like a small arching noise.

Does not sound like the VCT rattle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHfdF0aLUrw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95qdoK44zQg

burnsauto · 07-20-2015, 08:35 PM

hmm...possibly a collapsed lifter? They can range in loudness depending on how much fluid is left in the lifter.

jr_ss · 07-20-2015, 08:52 PM

Can you take audio of the ticking? It may just be your injectors...

chancelton · 07-21-2015, 10:08 AM

That's a weird tick....doesn't sound like injectors or like it's in the motor either. Good luck with that

jr_ss · 07-21-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancelton

That's a weird tick....doesn't sound like injectors or like it's in the motor either. Good luck with that

Great helpful post. Keep posting uselessly to get that post count up, idiot.

It's hard to say what exactly it is. I would say it's more of a faint tapping sound than a tick/click. If you want something to do, check your valve train. Make sure your lifters are bled and the shims are within spec. A bearing on the front of the motor might be going bad(I.e. Water pump, tensioner). There are a lot of things this could be. Replace your plugs, if they have a brown trace mark on the ceramic, they are bad.

I honestly don't think it's anything to cause alarm or worry. These motors seem to have a lot of random noises.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-21-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_ss

Great helpful post. Keep posting uselessly to get that post count up, idiot.

It's hard to say what exactly it is. I would say it's more of a faint tapping sound than a tick/click. If you want something to do, check your valve train. Make sure your lifters are bled and the shims are within spec. A bearing on the front of the motor might be going bad(I.e. Water pump, tensioner). There are a lot of things this could be. Replace your plugs, if they have a brown trace mark on the ceramic, they are bad.

I honestly don't think it's anything to cause alarm or worry. These motors seem to have a lot of random noises.

Ya thanks for your help. The car seems to drive fine. I do have a new water pump that I could throw on. I'll mess around with it. At first I was really concerned, but now I am over it lol

chancelton · 07-21-2015, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_ss

Great helpful post. Keep posting uselessly to get that post count up, idiot.

actually, it was helpful as I stated that I did not believe it to be in the engine or an injector. process of elimination. i dont give a fuck what my post count is, you on the other hand are the "post whore" fucking troll

jr_ss · 07-21-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancelton

actually, it was helpful as I stated that I did not believe it to be in the engine or an injector. process of elimination. i dont give a fuck what my post count is, you on the other hand are the "post whore" fucking troll

Wow, another educated response, you're on a roll pal.

kruked · 07-21-2015, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancelton

i dont give a fuck what my post count is, you on the other hand are the "post whore" fucking troll

Lol. He's a "post whore" who joined at the end of 2005.

Lol, such a post whore, fucking troll!

Sorry, I'm just trolling.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-21-2015, 09:27 AM

Here is a video I took of it. I increased the rpm probably no higher than 1500. You can really hear the noise at the end.

Let me know if the link doesn't work - Video

burnsauto · 07-21-2015, 12:01 PM

I'd get a stethoscope and at least look into it. Sometimes you can catch a little problem before it develops into a big one with a tool like that.

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-21-2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnsauto

I'd get a stethoscope and at least look into it. Sometimes you can catch a little problem before it develops into a big one with a tool like that.

Thats a good point. I will try and pick one up. thanks

kane01 · 07-26-2015, 11:08 PM

Lifters and rockers tap. Exhaust leak is usually a tick accompanied with soot and exhaust smell. Lower end is gonna be a knock, obviously louder and deeper than the top end noise. Injectors tick and so does your spark if it grounds out just right and the spark is stretched a little. Are there performance symptoms that will help us find waldo.

From your moms basement / using hacked rotary phone

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-27-2015, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kane01

Lifters and rockers tap. Exhaust leak is usually a tick accompanied with soot and exhaust smell. Lower end is gonna be a knock, obviously louder and deeper than the top end noise. Injectors tick and so does your spark if it grounds out just right and the spark is stretched a little. Are there performance symptoms that will help us find waldo.

From your moms basement / using hacked rotary phone

I haven't noticed any performance problems other than some boost hesitation which can come from my controller and some backfire

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

2plus4plus0eq6 · 07-29-2015, 11:36 AM

UPDATE:

I had misdiagnosed my engine. I thought it was the VTC solenoid. It was actually the TPS. When I did a check on the TPS, I had noticed it was turned all the way clockwise. I checked the FSM and did a resistance test on it.

FSM states:

throttle released = 0.7 ohms
partial = 0.7 - 5 ohms
WOT = Approx 5 ohms

Mine was totally off. I got my throttle released now set to 0.7 ohms. which is perfect. I can't quite get my WOT to 5 ohms. I get approx 4.1 ohms. I know the FSM says approx.

I had an issue with backfiring and this has seemed to stop it. The car runs way better, quieter, smoother, more power. No more clicking/ticking noise.

BUT... on the downside, my car seems to die a lot more often when coming to a stop. I have a lightweight flywheel and drive shaft. Found what I have read, there is not enough inertia to stop the engine from stalling when coming down from revs. I am pretty sure I need to now try and increase my base idle. Because now after messing with my TPS, I have noticed my idle is a lot lower than it was... and it was low already before!!!

Pretty embarrassing I tell ya when driving around and stalling. Some hot tart on the sidewalk watching and laughing thinking I can't drive stick lol

My tach is not working at the moment due to have a sohc cluster with my sr20. Anyways I think I can raise idle with the IACV.

Any comments or questions are appreciated

EDIT: I was able to raise the idle. Not sure its set at, but I don't seem to stall at stops now. It still drops down a lot, but then bounces back enough to keep car alive. I am happy. I might raise idle a little bit more in near future. Not sure how much more screw can come out lol

07-20-2015, 04:51 PM	#1
2plus4plus0eq6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 390 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Clicking / Ticking Noise.. Possibly arching from plugs? Hey guys, I hear this weird ticking noise when my car idles, it clicks quicker when rpms increase but only so a certain point... like 2500. I googled a crap load and thought maybe it was arching from my plugs. I took all the plugs out and cleaned them, checked them for proper gapping and secured everything back down. It still seems to click. I have even messed with my TPS thinking it was something to do with that. I am running NGK BRK7E gapped at .028 Is this normal? Any suggestions? __________________

07-20-2015, 06:41 PM	#3
2plus4plus0eq6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 390 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have an sr20. Is that typical then too? Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk __________________

07-20-2015, 07:17 PM	#9
burnsauto Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 717, PA Age: 39 Posts: 3,324 Trader Rating: (6) Rides Gallery: burnsauto Feedback Score: 6 reviews	http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html Done. __________________

07-20-2015, 07:18 PM	#10
2plus4plus0eq6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 390 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Looks expensive LOL Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk __________________

07-20-2015, 07:45 PM	#15
jr_ss Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pa Posts: 6,415 Trader Rating: (35) Feedback Score: 35 reviews	What motor is this again? S14 VTC? It's your VTC cam gear. You need to replace it. __________________ My SR20VET Does your VTC gear rattle in your S14/15 SR? PM me.

07-20-2015, 06:40 PM	#2
Ilya Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 712 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	That's typical for a car with vtec.

07-20-2015, 06:41 PM	#4
Beijing_Raccoon Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: 29 Palms Posts: 80 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	^Yep. You didn't even list what car or engine, so the best that can be assumed is something with vtec.

07-20-2015, 06:43 PM	#5
Ilya Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 712 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Can you write out the pattern in which it ticks? I'll look it up in my Nissan manual once I know the pattern.

07-20-2015, 06:54 PM	#7
Ilya Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Age: 35 Posts: 712 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	No no no no I need the pattern spelled out. If you post a video then I would have to inerpret the numbers clicking instead of you, and only the true owner can recognize the pattern. You can try to disconnect the coil packs but you can never disconnect the coilpack in a consecutive direction: example of what I mean. Disconnect cool pack, reconnect coilpack, disconnect coilpack to the right of first coilpack I disconnected, now I can not disconnect a coil pack to the right of the second coilpack because that ruins the pattern so you have to disconnect to the left.

07-20-2015, 07:34 PM	#12
cameronfaley Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington State Age: 28 Posts: 6 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	On a different story excluding spark plugs or coils... A possible clicking/ticking noise could be a lifter tick. But this early on i wouldn't specifically pinpoint that as your problem.

07-20-2015, 07:37 PM	#14
cameronfaley Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington State Age: 28 Posts: 6 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah no problem! Good luck to you!

07-20-2015, 08:35 PM	#17
burnsauto Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 717, PA Age: 39 Posts: 3,324 Trader Rating: (6) Rides Gallery: burnsauto Feedback Score: 6 reviews	hmm...possibly a collapsed lifter? They can range in loudness depending on how much fluid is left in the lifter. __________________

07-20-2015, 08:52 PM	#18
jr_ss Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pa Posts: 6,415 Trader Rating: (35) Feedback Score: 35 reviews	Can you take audio of the ticking? It may just be your injectors... __________________ My SR20VET Does your VTC gear rattle in your S14/15 SR? PM me.

07-21-2015, 10:08 AM	#19
chancelton Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: austin tx Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That's a weird tick....doesn't sound like injectors or like it's in the motor either. Good luck with that

07-21-2015, 09:27 AM	#25
2plus4plus0eq6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 390 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Here is a video I took of it. I increased the rpm probably no higher than 1500. You can really hear the noise at the end. Let me know if the link doesn't work - Video __________________

07-21-2015, 12:01 PM	#26
burnsauto Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 717, PA Age: 39 Posts: 3,324 Trader Rating: (6) Rides Gallery: burnsauto Feedback Score: 6 reviews	I'd get a stethoscope and at least look into it. Sometimes you can catch a little problem before it develops into a big one with a tool like that. __________________

07-26-2015, 11:08 PM	#28
kane01 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mid Mo. Age: 51 Posts: 32 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Lifters and rockers tap. Exhaust leak is usually a tick accompanied with soot and exhaust smell. Lower end is gonna be a knock, obviously louder and deeper than the top end noise. Injectors tick and so does your spark if it grounds out just right and the spark is stretched a little. Are there performance symptoms that will help us find waldo. From your moms basement / using hacked rotary phone

07-29-2015, 11:36 AM	#30
2plus4plus0eq6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada, BC Posts: 390 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	UPDATE: I had misdiagnosed my engine. I thought it was the VTC solenoid. It was actually the TPS. When I did a check on the TPS, I had noticed it was turned all the way clockwise. I checked the FSM and did a resistance test on it. FSM states: throttle released = 0.7 ohms partial = 0.7 - 5 ohms WOT = Approx 5 ohms Mine was totally off. I got my throttle released now set to 0.7 ohms. which is perfect. I can't quite get my WOT to 5 ohms. I get approx 4.1 ohms. I know the FSM says approx. I had an issue with backfiring and this has seemed to stop it. The car runs way better, quieter, smoother, more power. No more clicking/ticking noise. BUT... on the downside, my car seems to die a lot more often when coming to a stop. I have a lightweight flywheel and drive shaft. Found what I have read, there is not enough inertia to stop the engine from stalling when coming down from revs. I am pretty sure I need to now try and increase my base idle. Because now after messing with my TPS, I have noticed my idle is a lot lower than it was... and it was low already before!!! Pretty embarrassing I tell ya when driving around and stalling. Some hot tart on the sidewalk watching and laughing thinking I can't drive stick lol My tach is not working at the moment due to have a sohc cluster with my sr20. Anyways I think I can raise idle with the IACV. Any comments or questions are appreciated EDIT: I was able to raise the idle. Not sure its set at, but I don't seem to stall at stops now. It still drops down a lot, but then bounces back enough to keep car alive. I am happy. I might raise idle a little bit more in near future. Not sure how much more screw can come out lol __________________ Last edited by 2plus4plus0eq6; 07-29-2015 at 01:02 PM..