[NISM0]

I just got back from a long trip. After opening the hood, I found a clicking noise coming from the front drivers side of the engine. I don't know how long it's been there because I rarely do a post trip inspection.

Today, I checked the fluids, and everything checks out fine. The oil still looked clean. I started the truck, and it sounded fine. After letting the truck completely warm up roughly 10 to 15 minutes the clicking noise started, and sounded the same as it did the day before. It's definately not the fuel injectors.

As you view the video, the noise is coming from this general area. I put the stethoscope on top of the cam cover, and it's clear as a bell. I plan on going to the dealer in a couple week, but would appreciate any opinions. Thanks...

View My Video

 

[atroader]

Does it change with engine speed? Kind of sounds like it could be a lifter to me. Make sure its coming from the head area vs. somewhere else. Since it is a warm occurrence, check the exhaust area... rule out a leaky gasket, etc.

 

[Zero Six LE]

Hard to tell but sounds like an injector to me.

 

[NISM0]

Does it change with engine speed? Kind of sounds like it could be a lifter to me. Make sure its coming from the head area vs. somewhere else. Since it is a warm occurrence, check the exhaust area... rule out a leaky gasket, etc.

I don't think the clicking noise gets any louder with increased RPM. I found increasing the RPM's just makes it harder to hear. You can hear the click, but the noise of the engine is louder than the click and seems to cancel it out.

This is a second video I shot. Both videos sound pretty much the same. Hard to decide which ones better.

View My Video

 

[NISM0]

Hard to tell but sounds like an injector to me.

It ran fine for the first 15 minutes. The injectors are loud, but the clicking noise is louder and has a differant pitch.

 

[Zero Six LE]

It ran fine for the first 15 minutes. The injectors are loud, but the clicking noise is louder and has a differant pitch.

If you look in the service manual, it will list tappets, timing chain cracks and wear or timing chain tensioner as likely causes of clicking, ticking or tapping.

 

[2018 Silver PRO-4X]

Not too different from my noise, I think mine is at a lower pitch. Could be in the timming chain area. Good Luck on it !

 

[atroader]

FWIW,
After the 2nd video, I figure the noise is about 5 hertz... The idle at 650 rpm makes for camshaft speeds around 5 rps or 5 hertz. It could be anything rotating with the camshaft, from its immediate chain sprocket (not the chain- speed would be slower), to the tappets (what I called lifter earlier).

 

[NISM0]

If you look in the service manual, it will list tappets, timing chain cracks and wear or timing chain tensioner as likely causes of clicking, ticking or tapping.

I think your right on top of the situation. I never thought it would happen to me. I put the stethoscope around the exhaust manifold and found nothing.

It's definately in the timing chain area. It's still under warranty, and hopefully the dealership will take care of it.

 

[wolfman437]

Hey, i have that same one...

Keep us posted as to what the dealer finds is causing the noise.

 

[NISM0]

Hey, i have that same one...

Keep us posted as to what the dealer finds is causing the noise.

Yes, I will keep you all informed

 

[NISM0]

I have good news. The noise is gone. After the noise apeared, I decided to drive my truck on a daily basis and monitor the situation. I use to let the truck sit around for weeks at a time because I have a car that gets 25 MPG. Driving the car to and from work saved a lot of money. The only thing I did differant was switch back to 93 octane gas. Was it the sub zero temperatures I had back in January, low octane or poor quality tank of gas, or just letting it sit around. I don't have a good answer. I'm just glad the truck is back to normal. Thanks guys for all your support........

 

[steve500]

My frontier's been making that noise from the past 6k miles or so. Morning startup is quiet and smooth... after a warmup drive or a drive on the highway, i've got the same clicking going on... kinda noisy too, I figure it may be the crappy spiral spring inside of the serpentine belt tensioner creeking, which makes it sound like a ticking. It also could just be related to a real low oil pressure at idle, on a morning startup idle, the oil pressure is up.