I started my car this morning and it started to tick like the valves or something in engine. Also after work it did the same thing. Once it was warm, the noise went away. And actually it didn't start for til about 10 seconds after starting it. I have no clue why it would do this. I checked the oil and it seemed fine. I changed the oil about 800 miles ago. It sounds like my friends ranger right before he had engine trouble. The Nissan dealership will give me the run around so I thought I'd ask in here first. BTW it's an 03 with 31,000 miles. Also I'm running Mobil 1 5w-30 and have since about 4000 miles.

 

A couple things I thought I should add. The car has been babied and hardly any mods. Only mods are synthetic fluids (tranny, engine, diff), grounding kit, and JWT pop charger. I had been using the K&N HP-1010 filters, someone suggested them because they were bigger than stock but work. I was thinking that maybe the oil isn't getting up to needed areas fast enough. I ordered the K&N HP-1008 filter and I'll change the oil and filter when they get in. I don't understand how that could be the problem, since I have been running that setup for 26,000 miles. Also it just seems like the oil isn't getting to that area until it is warmed up. I'm puzzled Is Mobil 1 synthetic, crappy oil?

 

I have the same tick after replacing the flywheel....The dealers I have talked to say it is normal...it is just something it does but is not the engine...

 

It sounds like a lifter and I can hear it more as I rev the engine with the clutch in. Also I pretty sure I heard it in the engine bay area. I'll check in the morning when the engine is cold.

 

thats pretty normal for an engine. the oil is very viscous while cold, and likely is not lubricating all of the engine well. just make sure you give it time to warm up, and its all good.

 

Yeah i had the same issues i was concerned about a few months ago. Im in the south, so we get very few COLD days. It ONLY does it on REALLY cold days and its only for like 1-2 secs until the oil gets going.

 

+1

I tried Castrol Syntec last oil change and noticed the ticking happens when its cool outside rather than really cold. I think I'll try Royal Purple next and see how it does. Mobil 1 only did it when it was freezing.

 

I've heard it on some of my motorcycles when they are cold, but most of those engines aren't as advanced as today's car engines. I've just never heard it in 30,000 miles and heard it the yesterday. I've taken it to Oklahoma where it got into the 20's, didn't start it for 2 days, and it still didn't have the noise when I started it. Also the low has only been in the 50's at night and probably 60's in my garage where the car is.

Anyways I checked the oil last night and it was right in the middle of the L and H. So I added about 1/4-1/3 of a quart last night. I checked this morning before I started the car and it was 3/4 of the way to the H. I started it this morning with the hood open and I could't hear the tick. It happened twice yesterday, but I didn't hear it all today. Maybe the extra oil helped out. I'd alway been putting about 4 3/4 quarts in the engine after an oil change (since you can't always drain all of the oil).

BTW: I always wait until the oil pressure goes down after starting before I run the engine above 3500rpms.

 

thats a good habit. i always give it a minute or 2 to warm up before leaving. once the temp gauge begins to move up, i start going. just be sure not to load it hard before it is fully warmed up, this is well after the coolant temp is in the ideal position.

keep in mind i live in fl, so a cold morning is like 40-50, if you live in a colder climate give it a few more minutes.

 

Yeah I see the coolant temp get warm, then wait at least 5-10 minutes before I ever run the car hard. Usually the Oil PSI drops by then. The coldest it usually gets here (Austin, TX) is mid 40's at night in the winter. I have a thermometer in my garage and I've never seen it drop below 50.

 

any update on the car c after all this time?

 

post was from 15 years ago, his Last activity was 7 years ago

 

I still have the car. I have almost 95k on it (don't drive it as much). I did switch to Pennzoil Platinum a few years ago. I haven't noticed any ticking, but I keep the car in a garage and it rarely gets below 50 degrees.