I know this is a long shot but maybe someone else had this problem here before and can shed some light on me.

My 04 make this stupid ticking noise and Its driving crazy. So when I purchased the car, the dealer put fresh oil in but they probably put in regular oil and then I switched to M1 after 3k miles and this noise started to appear slowly and slowly then I switched Penzoil Ultra.

I just want some ideas on what might be wrong with the car so when I take into a mechanic I dont look completly clueless and they can BS me.


So here it is guys, its a crappy cell phone video I took. Its the best I can do and I will upload a day time video tomorrow.

Thank you all in advance.

- Dineth

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br_DdCpGuEo

Car runs fine, motor feels good and doesnt feel like its down on power or anything and I do use 93 ocatane gas religiously cant be lower grade gas.

 

sticky valve maybe.

 

and if the oil wight is too light it could cause that noise as well.

 

Sounds like noisy lifters to me.

 

Have had the exact same tick for 4 years, two dealers said it was normal, not that I believe them, but just like you, no power loss, no oil leaks etc.

 

Since we're stuck on the subject of oil, how is your oil pressure? Do you maintain a steady oil level? Could be a number of things mentioned above as well as a loose valve.

 

hmm.. expensive fix?

im using 5w30 penzoil ultra but next oil change im gonna switch to german castrol 0w30.


thanks..im getting scared now.


4 yrs and nothing broke? lol i dont think i can take this tick for that long. lol



I dont know how good m oil pressure is, my oil light came on once when i braked hard and i noticed that it was low and added oil right away.

what exactly is a loose valve?


thanks everyone.

 

Sounds like a lifter tick to me. I used to have a DSM and it was pretty common on them, don't think its too common on the Z though. You can try an additive like seafoam or Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer, but don't get your hopes up.

 

not a very expensive fix. may 50-100 bucks (not at dealer) and from my experience, switching to a lighter weight oil will make the noise louder and more consistent.

 

z's don't really use lifters so you can rule that out.

 

Okay just made 2 more videos in daylight, gonna upload them soon.

 

Video 1 - Cold start. Noise is not that audible, I kept the phone where the sound is most noticable to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJx7Y0jL-E

Video 2 - Car is almost warm in the begining and pretty warm at the end. Pls watch till the end as I rev the motor and once the car settles back on idle, the ticking is pretty audible on the crappy phone.

Sorry I have a phone that is year and a half old so video quality sucks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqfXO..._order&list=UL

I also noticed what might be a leak near the dipstick. I took pictures and Im gonna post them in a bit.

 

Pics - Location : right by the dipstick