Nissan 350gt Premium - Vq35de Engine Ticking

[SKY-35]

Hi Everyone,

Today my 2005 Series 2 V35 decided that today would be the day to play a little game with me (probably due to not taking her for a spin for the last 4 days)

Upon start up the engine had a loud ticking noise coming from the front of the engine, which remained even when warm, the car has a recent oil & filter change about 3000kms ago (Engine Oil flush,Penrite HPR-10 and Drift magnetic oil filter now that the car has reached 130,000kms).

I have been reading up on the noise which seems to be common in the VQ35 also shared in the 350z and is misdiagnosed as valve lifters and has a range rectifications there seems to be a slight loss in acceleration power so im thinking it could be timing related but have no idea how to diagnose the issue it seem to be a tick per rev.its quite loud and worried that it could be something sinister.

• Also the rear boot decided to crap out on me today - common issue in the states with the wires in the boot becoming frayed, i slammed the boot down in the rain a reckon the force cut or disconnected the wires supplying the lock.
• My nav screen has also crapped out which looks like i need a new ribbon as the display has dissapreared - any idea where to source a replacement screen ribbon.

Could anyone reccomend someone who has experience in the ticking noise and could help diagnose the issue - i think scottynm35 might have come across the ticking in a few other forums so might be worthwile to see if i can get an assist on the diagnosis.

Does anyone have a spare screen ribbon from a removed unit

Thanks

[sonicii]

timing chain/tensioner issues are usually more of a 'rattling' sound. Is it a metallic sound? If not, can you hear it inside the cabin from around the driver's footwell area?

EDIT - you said 'front of the engine' so it probably is timing related..

Edited June 2, 2015 by sonicii

[SKY-35]

Hi Sonicii,

Definitely a rattle noise can be heard in the cabin with windows up but not from footwell area. Thanks for the help i might have to find someone in Melbourne who could look at it.

[scotty nm35]

I should be able to help you out with most of those issues, if you want to PM me we can have a chat Tristan.

[_thom_]

Can you record the sound & upload it?

[_thom_]

Any updates? keen to hear more

[R6n350GT]

I bet no one has written this before as i have spent alot of money figuring it out.

That noise is either.

1. Chain tensioner, a $80 part that fills with oil and pushes a rod out and puts tension on the chain, the initial few seconds of rattle can be this and then once oil pressure is up it goes away. If you turn car off and start again soon it will not happen until car is cold

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13070-tensioner-assy-chain-350z-z33-2003-2006-p-16967.html?cPath=714_715_716_725&

2. Cam gears, they have a spring that pushes a plunger and locks gear into place and allows the VCT solenoids to advance or retard , the spring and plunger breaks over time and will make nasty rattle noises, but they are $400 parts x2

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13025-sprocket-camshaftintake-350z-z33-2003-09/2006-p-15680.html?cPath=714_715_716_725&

3. the cam gear covers, there is a little washer inside the middle of the cover like 50c size and it helps hold oil pressure in the cam gears, these are $50 part each

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13041p-cover-assy-vtc-350z-z33-2003-2008-p-17111.html

I replaced every timing chain and guide and still had the issues before i replaced the gears and then only a tiny noise and then replaced the covers as mine had no washer for some reason and now noise 100% gone, no noise on start up at all.

This can cause P0011 and P0021 issues

No where has this been mentioned before..

It can throw a P0373 Engine Position Error code (no goggle search will tell you what that is but it means your cam gear/s are broken

This is the noise

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/Davis_711/media/G35%20Driver/Engine%20Noise_zpszlab8cfg.mp4.html

Edited June 11, 2015 by R6n350GT

[Ben C34]

Tick tick tick tick boom

The f f f fresh p rince is wh who I am

[scotty nm35]

I bet no one has written this before as i have spent alot of money figuring it out.

That noise is either.

1. Chain tensioner, a $80 part that fills with oil and pushes a rod out and puts tension on the chain, the initial few seconds of rattle can be this and then once oil pressure is up it goes away. If you turn car off and start again soon it will not happen until car is cold

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13070-tensioner-assy-chain-350z-z33-2003-2006-p-16967.html?cPath=714_715_716_725&

2. Cam gears, they have a spring that pushes a plunger and locks gear into place and allows the VCT solenoids to advance or retard , the spring and plunger breaks over time and will make nasty rattle noises, but they are $400 parts x2

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13025-sprocket-camshaftintake-350z-z33-2003-09/2006-p-15680.html?cPath=714_715_716_725&

3. the cam gear covers, there is a little washer inside the middle of the cover like 50c size and it helps hold oil pressure in the cam gears, these are $50 part each

http://www.courtesyparts.com/13041p-cover-assy-vtc-350z-z33-2003-2008-p-17111.html

I replaced every timing chain and guide and still had the issues before i replaced the gears and then only a tiny noise and then replaced the covers as mine had no washer for some reason and now noise 100% gone, no noise on start up at all.

This can cause P0011 and P0021 issues

No where has this been mentioned before..

It can throw a P0373 Engine Position Error code (no goggle search will tell you what that is but it means your cam gear/s are broken

This is the noise

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/Davis_711/media/G35%20Driver/Engine%20Noise_zpszlab8cfg.mp4.html

Nice one Nate, can't say I have worked on the 3.5L much, and the later hydraulic actuation seems more robust than the VQ25/30. It can get expensive when the engine needs to come out.

Glad it's all running sweet for you now.