Hi, i have a 95 200sx se-r, and i've been hearing this kinda clatter noise coming from the engine bay. I have 73000 miles. what do you think it could be. I only hear it at idle. and it's not repeatedly, it has a break of 1 or 2 seconds between a couple of claters... Please any help would be appreciated.

you have to isolate the area. These are the clatters I have fixed on my ride. Timing chain tensioner, A/C Compressor (its clutch shield came loose)and Throw Out Bearing. That's it I think.
Hope this gives you some ideas.

Cossie

Thanx alot man... That really helps. i'm going to do that today.
I hope it's nothing internal on the engine. Thanx again.

sounds like the same thing I'm getting, it almost sounded like my piping rattling against something, but it seems to be coming from under the valve cover... sound is very inconsistent, but occurs 1-3 seconds

my engine was doing that the other day too, sounds like rocker arm clatter when the valves are out of
adjustment, but that cant happen on are engines of course so i wasn't sure what it was ?

but it stoped and hasnt happend again ?

My car still makes the noise so i don't think it's that... It sounds like it;s coming from the timing chain area or something like that. It's kinda confusing cause it sounds like it's coming from diferent directions... I'll have to inpect it with more detail.
Thanx guys

I think I am having the same noise. If you have any luck hit this thread again. I am at a loss what it is, but it is exactly like you said.

Brent

Do you get a lot of chatter when you start the car in the morning? If it's the same sound, chances are you need a timing chain tensioner. Also, what oil filter are you using? Try a Nissan oil filter and maybe a new timing chain tensioner. Off brand oil filters cause a loss of oil pressure, that is what the TCT works off of. My $.02.

I will try those out. Thanks

sounds to me like you could have one of four probs tensioner no good or the oil passage to it is clogged,second the rail that is over the cams(squirts oil on lobes)is clogged,third cam lobes r worn out(seen this twice usually caused by the rail over the cams clogged and starves the lobes of lube)very noisy,and fourth this is the easiest to diag take off your valve cover and over the top of the timming chain youll find a "guide"held on w/two 12mm bolts REMOVE it reinstall valve cover if noise is gone leave it off unless chain is really loose. I took mine off and nissan tells us to take them off of 240sx engines im a nissan tech.I hope this helps good luck