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HELP! - Bad Hydraulic Lifter, Shim, or Rod Bearing Knock ? Forums > > HELP! - Bad Hydraulic Lifter, Shim, or Rod Bearing Knock ? HELP! - Bad Hydraulic Lifter, Shim, or Rod Bearing Knock ?
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  #1  
Old 05-20-2007, 03:59 PM
MachSpeed100
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Default HELP! - Bad Hydraulic Lifter, Shim, or Rod Bearing Knock ?


My 2003 Pathfinder w/ 89K on a VQ35DE has developed a tick / knock at the #1 cyl (Front cyl. of engine on the driver's side). Yet it is intermittent and is driving me and my mechanic CRaZy.
It especially knocks after hard driving conditions (high rpm, & lots of stop & go). I've run high quality (naphtha containing) valve cleaners in 3 successive tanks of premium gas and yet the noise continues.
At cold starts - it's not there at all.
When hot, if I bring up the RPMs the noise diminishes or goes away.
When very hot & at low RPMs it sounds like the rhythmic start of a rod bearing knock.
Let it idle for a while & the noise will also diminish & become intermittent.
I've run STP in the oil & I thought it went away the next morning - but I was mistaken - it was still intermittent.
I've run Mystery Oil in the crankcase thinking it was a clogged oil passage to the rod or lifter - but after 1K miles that hasn't changed anything either.
When I place an engine stethoscope on the exhaust header bolt or on the bolt that holds the #1 spark plug wire in place - there is clearly ticking/tapping - but it skips about every third or fifth beat.
I briefly thought it was a timing chain knock - but the noise does not seem to be coming from the front cover at all.
So, my questions are:
1) Has a rod bearing gone bad?
2) Has a hydraulic lifter gone bad?
3) Is there carbon build up on the valve stem - even after the injector cleaner?
4) Could the valve have kissed the piston & is now bent?
5) Are there shims associated with the cam in this engine and can they be swapped out / adjusted?
6) What the heck am I overlooking?
7) If I remove the #1 wire while the car is running - do I need to ground the plug wire? Also - what should I look or listen for to make a diagnosis?
Any help provided will be greatly appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 05-21-2007, 08:12 AM
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NissanTech NissanTech is offline
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There is a bulletin for lifter noise, but is usually when the engine is cold.

Service Bulletins Nissan Cars

There is also a bulletin for a rattle, similar to the one you describe but is for the Camshaft sprocket:

1996-2007 ALL NISSAN MODELS; DTC FOR VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL FUNCTION
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  #3  
Old 05-21-2007, 03:55 PM
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Check compression on the cylinders on that side of the engine. I have seen some melt the # 1 piston.
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  #4  
Old 01-30-2008, 11:49 PM
SERSteve
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Default Did you find the source of the knock?

Hey, Did you ever find out what the source of this knock was? I have the exact same problem on a DOHC V6 engine by "another" manufactuer, and would love to know what you found.
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Old 09-12-2008, 12:08 AM
klze
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what ended up being the cause of the problem ?
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  #6  
Old 02-19-2010, 07:22 PM
Dasanii19
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The original poster described exactly what im experiencing with my 03' pathfinder, I only wish someone had an answer!!
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  #7  
Old 02-19-2010, 09:54 PM
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check your power valve screws you may have had one or two come out and get sucked into the cylinder. note you have to remove upper intake to inspect
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Old 02-20-2010, 07:17 AM
Dasanii19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nissan master tech View Post
check your power valve screws you may have had one or two come out and get sucked into the cylinder. note you have to remove upper intake to inspect
Thanks, I actually did this job two weeks ago and all screws were in place.
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  #9  
Old 05-25-2016, 01:19 PM
starbai starbai is offline
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Any chance the problem is your valve lifters?
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bad, bearing, hydraulic, knock, lifter, rod, shim

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