I know this has been asked before and I did search through quite a few posts, but nothing really seemed to match what I'm experiencing. So, figured I'd post and see what you all think.

Basically, I'm just wondering what the deal is with all the clacking/tapping noises my engine makes all the time, and just wondering if it's normal. It's not noticeable until I roll down my windows and drive up along a wall or close beside another car around town. This reflects my car's sounds back at me so I can hear it much better. Basically, the sound I'm hearing sounds like a constant clacking or tapping noise that is related to RPMs. Faster rpms, faster tapping. This noise continues regardless of engine temp, even when the engine is fully warmed up. I'm tempted to say it seems to be loudest when the engine is warm and almost unnoticeable when the engine is cold, but I want to make sure before I say that. Either way, it definitely does it while it's warm.

My only thought is that it's the probably valvetrain. Is the VQ35 valvetrain really that clicky and clacky and noisy? I recently had my first oil change done at my dealer (3750 miles), and that didn't seem to reduce it any. They didn't mention anything, either. They seem to be good guys over there, and I figure they'd mentioned something if it was wrong.

Many years ago I had an old 1986 Toyota Camry, and whenever the oil would start to get low it would start making similar noises. Fill the oil back up, the noises would go away. So, I just wanted to check with you all to see if you hear similar things in the 350Z.

 

My guess is it is something in your drivetrain or even in your engine. Mostly due to the fact that it is worse when it is warmed up. It is probably expanding metal that clicks worse when it is hotter. Like maybe main bearings or I have even seen bad valve springs that dont push the lifters back up all the way and the cam lobe smacks the lifter cup.

Just some thoughts, maybe someone can back me up on this.

 

Geez, it better not be either of those! I guess maybe I should cruise by my dealer and have them listen to it for safety. I have a friend here in town with a Z, so I'll give him a call and see if I can hear the same thing in his car.

 

sounds like you need a valve adjustment

 

All Z's make these strange valve train and tranny noise. I know exactly what you are you talking about. Those noises arent noticeble under normal driving, but if in a semi-enclosed area, you can hear the sounds quite well. I especially notice them under lower RPM and heavier load conditions. The clanking turns into a sweet sounded symphony about 3500rpm.

It's normal...dont worry about it. You wanna hear drivetrain/valve train noise?? Pull up next to any porsche, BMW M3, etc. All high performance engines tend to have a bit more slop in them.

This isnt a lexus you know....

 

mine makes those noises, very audible when sitting in traffic and it echoes off a car next to me.

 

Mabye you guys should try a heavier oil, It could just be your lifters.

 

i use 15w mobil-1 and my oil pressure is good too. stays above the 1st click at idle and around or above the half under throttle

 

Yeah, no worries about that. It's not that I mind the noise itself and want the engine to be silent; I just want to make sure the noise is okay and doesn't mean there's a problem.

For what it's worth, this noise is not audible when the engine is cold. It only becomes very apparent as the engine warms up towards normal operating temps. Just like you said, most audible under lower rpms (2k to 3k) when driving next to something that will reflect the sound back.

If the windows are closed, I can't hear it. If I'm not next to anything that will reflect the sound back at me, I can't hear it. Heck, I'm about to install a JWT flywheel, so I'll just be adding that much more bad-sounding stuff to my car, so that'll probably cover up the valvetrain sound anyway.