2002 Nissan Altima Ticking noise

RONDHOL

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
70,000 MILES

I hear loud ticking/taping noise when the engine is cold (40F) and under load. That noise is gone after it's warm. I am using full synthetic oil 5w-30.
The engine runs very smooth at 50mph without any audible noise. But the light ticking noise can be heard at idle.

Is very light raspy noise at 1500-2000 rpm caused by bad flex exhaust pipe in front of the catalytic converter?

4 Replies

BUDDYCRAIGG

MECHANIC
2,262 POSTS

Have you had the upper cam chain guide removed yet?

You need to have that done.

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Thursday, December 25th, 2008 AT 3:01 AM

RONDHOL

MEMBER
3 POSTS

What is cam chain guide? Can I see it by removing valve cover? The pre-cat is new and the flex pipe is fine. The ticking noise (like computer hard drive) occurs after 10 minutes driving at very light load (1500-1800 rpm). Higher rpm or lower rpm give no noise. No problem at neutral.

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Thursday, February 26th, 2009 AT 12:32 AM

BUDDYCRAIGG

MECHANIC
2,262 POSTS

Sounds are hard to diagnose over the internet.
The tone and the frequency at various RPMs may mean something to a trained ear. But trying to explain it via text is going to be hard to get across.

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Monday, March 2nd, 2009 AT 7:36 PM

RONDHOL

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3 POSTS

I can say, The ticking frequency is like loud computer harddrive noise after start up. The noise is only at 1500 rpm (drive/reverse only) for any speeds and gears after fully warm up. When the engine is cold, there is almost no noise.

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Monday, March 2nd, 2009 AT 7:42 PM