ticking

[billsmax92]

i have a 92 max with the 3.0 and when it warms up it ticks at idle already changed oil any idea what it is help please

[thajones]

It's the VTCs. They make a lot of noise in an older engine. You can get them rebuilt, or ground them out (as discussed ad nauseum on maxima.org).

The original filter for this engine is hard to come by, there is a Toyota filter with the correct drainback valve that should be used.

Why does my Maxima go, "tick tick tick"?



Note: This issue ONLY applies to the VE30DE engine on the 92 to 94 SE models, and is regarding the "ticking" sound reported by many owners. Although this issue has apparently been addressed and fixed by Nissan for the 94 model year, it remains an issue.

Jeff92se recommends using the a Toyota filter, cross referenced for the VE30DE engine. Nissan made a special filter for the VE engine, but Jeff's communication with a mechanic has yielded this Toyota filter per his recommendation:

The Toyota oil filter for the 3-gen VE engine is:
90915-YZZA2
The thing is tiny but trust me it fits.


This should be $4 or $5 at a local Toyota dealer, or you can order it online from Toyota-Parts.com at the link below:
http://www.toyota-parts.com/page5a.a...ber=90915YZZA2

Courtesy of Jeff92se, and linked from Maximamike's website as well:
http://www.geocities.com/maximamike/nvcs-bible.html

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Well I'll comment on this situation again. I'll try to be as complete as possible so this is gonna be long! The following comments are my opinion only based on past experience and hands on work. Following the information below is at the reader's discretion and I take no responsiblity for your actions.

Let's start w/ the function of the VTC assemblies. These assemblies are mounted on the intake cam. So there are two total. At a certain rpm/load, the VTC solenoid is de-activated and oil stops flowing to the assembly. This allows the intake cam to rotate and advance up to about 8-9 degrees. This helps high rpm hp and torque.

Now because these assemblies are hydraulicly operated(engine oil pressure) this is where the problem begins. The VTC assemblies are very high up on the heads(see sig pic for reference) This means during start-up these assemblies are probably the one of the last things to get oil. Along with this, the oil gallies leading up from the oil pan are fairly small. So any clogging of these gallies from sludge will only slow the time and quantity of oil that these assemblies receive.

Indications of VTC failure. Usually you will hear a *tick* when the car is cold(like a loose valve tick) and it will go away after a few seconds. When they start to get worse you will hear the tick when the car is warm and you must *lug* the engine is low gear to get rid of the tick. Finally the damn things will tick all the time! I think what's happening is that the springs inside the assemblies slowly start to get weak when they don't get enough oil.

Preventative maintainance. The best thing you can do to prevent VTC failure is to CHANGE YOUR OIL REGULARLY. Remember sludge is the enemy here. Also using a oil filter that has the proper anti-drain back valve is also important. This keeps the oil pressure up as much as possible when the engine is turned off. This gets oil to the upper heads as fast as possible durning start up. Nissan oil filters are recommended and Nissan choose to use a special filter for the 92-94 SEs. Not the standard "blue" Nissan filter. Also consider switching to synthetics if possible.

Now if you already have the dreaded failure and you can no longer stand the *tick* sound, you gotta have them fixed. (Note: some have used the method of grounding the solenoids but I have no experience with this) There are two options for fixing the VTC assemblies. Either way you have to either take them off yourself or have a mechanic do it. You can have one or both VTCs rebuilt. The kit only costs about $40. But you must have access to a 2k press in order to take them apart and you MUST mark everything before taking them apart. One mistake and the VTC will live to click again! The track record for rebuild VTCs lasting is not that great. The second option is to have new VTC assemblies installed. Be forewarned, these assemblies run about $400 each! Not cheap! There are two Nissan Technical Service Bulletins that deal with the proper installation of these items. And they should be followed if you want these new assemblies to last. They deal with making sure the oil gallies are clean. If not, even the new ones will fail again. Warning! Even if you get these done at Nissan, that is not guarantee that they will follow the TSB! Some Nissan techs are lazy-asses! If you have Nissan do the repair, make sure they are aware of the TSB and make sure you they follow it!

Cost for the VTC repair by a Nissan mechanic w/ new assemblies will run about $1600 or $2000 for both sides.

Is the VTC repair a DIY job? Well yes and no. Yes if you are fairly experienced with auto mechanics. If not, forget it. There are too many things to screw up for the amatuer to attempt. If you can do a 5-sp clutch job yourself, then you could probably do this also.

[Royoudo]

well check out this site a guy who has a maxima used amsoil and his tick was stoped check it out
sorry i cant post the url i copyed and pasted it for you here
Maxima:

I have a 1995 Nissan Maxima and it developed a bad lifter tick. I was concerned and called Pat Goss. He hosts a radio call-in show about cars, a TV show called Motor Week, and a spot on the local cable news channel. I explained to him the problem I was having and he said that it might be a lifter that was gummed up. He suggested that I try an engine-flushing product.

I did as he recommended and there was a slight improvement so I thought I was on the right track. I took the car to Pat?s shop and had him flush the engine with his Bilstien engine flush machine. Again there was an improvement, but the tick was still there.

This is when I made the switch to AMSOIL. I used the Series 2000 0w30 and within 5000 miles the tick was completely GONE!