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Questions about Engine noise. Did search but want to know more
Hi there. I've been looking for a used car for some time now and I've recently found a 1999 Nissan Sentra SE Limited. I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if there is a difference between these particular models compared to anywhere else. I did the search and found some info regarding this clatter sound coming from the engine. Initially I thought it was an exhaust sound, like almost the heat sheild rattle, then pulled into a parking lot and openned the hood again and found it was coming from the engine.
I noticed the noise only when A) the engine is reved, not sure what rpm we hit because we reved it from the throtle cable, but it seemed like at a higher rpm, say 3500. During the test drive, at idle it did not make the sound. I tried to make it rattle but didn't hit over 3000 rpm. B) It was most noticeable when the engine was under load. It made that clatter sound thru at least the first to forth if not fifth gears, but at highway speeds there was other road noise that could be drowning out the sound.
When I got back to the used car dealership the sales person said that they would "take care of it" and fix it, mumbling something about timing chain and tension. I'm not sure how much he knows about engines, let alone how much I can trust him. Ofcourse he assured me they were sending the car out to the shop and I can test drive it after it's fixed.
I would really appreciate any insight, opinions and advice any one of you(s) have to offer. Is the car worth $9000 CDN, or any sum knowing there is some issues at this time? Has/will the noise return(ed) after being fixed (in the case of Timing Chain Tensioner replacement)? The engine performed pretty well other than that awfull sound, it seems strong. It drove straight, little vibration in the steering. The brakes felt somewhat mushy, is that normal? I assume not. Keep in mind the car has not passed the basic certification. I did notice the rotors had a deep groove in them where the pads make contact. They will need to be changed.
Details:
1999 Sentra SE Limited
60,000 Kms
Sorry for the long post, new to the forum and didn't want to leave out anything. Many thanks in advance.
I too am getting the exact same noise during the same conditions..its been bugging me for ages. Im assured its not the Timing tensioner as i have replaced it..but it sounds like some small clatter that dissappears when the revs drop down again.. Like u stated..the engine feels very strong and pulls hard.. with fuel consumption and oil usage very normal.
ive got a n15s2 SSS sr20de with extractors and CAI
First Thanks for the info. Second, I just got a phone call from the used car dealership. They got the car certified and supposedly fixed the problem. I asked what they had to fix, they said the cam shaft bearing needed to be replaced. I hope to go test drive the car tonight and see if the noise is still there. I will verify again what work had to be done. Hopefully they'll have some sort of documented work from their mechanic (doubtful) but I'll post again as soon as I find out. I'm going to do a search on this forum for cam shaft bearing noises or changes. I hope this helps you.
If the car is fixed, do you think it's worth me buying it????
I guess I'm just paranoid that problems may persist. Altho they are including an aftermarket warranty with it.
I don't know much about cars, but I'm surprised that with such a problem there isn't a noticable performance difference. Altho maybe I need to drive a "good" car back to back to notice it. How long has your car made that noise???
Clay
Quote:
Originally Posted by dominic
Mig,
I too am getting the exact same noise during the same conditions..its been bugging me for ages. Im assured its not the Timing tensioner as i have replaced it..but it sounds like some small clatter that dissappears when the revs drop down again.. Like u stated..the engine feels very strong and pulls hard.. with fuel consumption and oil usage very normal.
ive got a n15s2 SSS sr20de with extractors and CAI
Camshaft Bearing????????? What the hell, there are no camshaft bearings in an SR20. Just machined surfaces.
Obviously they have no clue. Without hearing the exact noise, it is a little hard to tell what it could be.
__________________
David J. Gerryts
2001 Sentra SE (SR20DE)
Pre Production NX2000 race car #33 (now with GTi-R power)vin# 001003
Pre Production NX2000 race car #44 10.1, C3, HS header etc.vin#001002
I drove the car an hour ago. No noise at all now. Tried to confirm what was changed, the only thing I confirmed was (as dgerryts said) they have no real clue what they are talking about. Altho I honestly didn't expect them too.
So I brought along my dad, who knows some stuff. The salesman said they changed "umm...uhhh...camshaft...driveshaft.bearing..somet hing or other, I can't remember" (as I think to myself can I really trust these guys).
We think they changed the connecting rod bearing. My old '88 Sentra had one replaced and it made a similar sound. I didn't think of it at the time...but at any rate the noise is gone. The car runs, well seems to run pretty good otherwise. -Dom- maybe this is the same problem you have????
So now I'm left with deciding what to do. I need to get a car, my Stanza with 400K is dying FAST. So it's either used or new, always a difficult choice. Any opinions are appreciated. Please correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm not a car technician, but a computer tech. I'm leaning towards this car, so long as I can get it under my conditions. Thanks
Mig
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgerryts
Camshaft Bearing????????? What the hell, there are no camshaft bearings in an SR20. Just machined surfaces.
Obviously they have no clue. Without hearing the exact noise, it is a little hard to tell what it could be.
I just found out that its just the sign of a worn thrust bearing from the clutch.. no big dramas - ill have to change mine once a beefier clutch goes in
Glad to hear that you found out what the noise is. As for the SE, I did not buy it. Lots of drama on this end. After they had fixed the car, during the test ride there was a smoke trail behind us as we got her up to highway speeds. They tried to convince us that it was just oil burning off the exhaust due to the maintanance, so we went back for another test drive on Thursday. Sadly once again the smoke continued to bellow from somewhere near the bottom of the engine. We personally think whoever did the work on the car didn't replace any seals or damaged one in the process, because the smoke would only appear at higher speeds and oil pressure would presumably have built up, causing oil to leak and burn somewhere on the exhuast. So I now continue my search for another sr20de...oh well. Thanks
Mig
Quote:
Originally Posted by dominic
I just found out that its just the sign of a worn thrust bearing from the clutch.. no big dramas - ill have to change mine once a beefier clutch goes in
I've checked out the site, but not recently. Thanks for the reminder. Don't you guys meet out this way at Krispy Kreme? I wanted to go check it out, but some how never make it. Thanks for the offer to help. I haven't really set a price range, I guess it depends on how much I think the car is worth, pending Kms, condition....etc. At Agincourt Niss they got a 200sx there, you'll find it on the trader site. Asking 14g, Low Km, pic looks good, haven't gone to actually see in person, but it's automatic and I prefer manual.
So what is your second car?
Mig
p.s. I just checked out your ride on GTA, looks nice, I really like the spec rims.
My Sentra is my good car, which I put all my time into. My other car is an 1992 NX2000 with 241,000 kms on it. It has seen better days, and I only use it for going back and forth to work (125 kms return).
I know the one on Autotrader. Beige with 47ks on it? There is also a nice one there with 191 000 kms for $7500. If I were you I would get the one with 191 k on it, which is still in mint condition. I know where you can get a BB turbo SR20 for 3000k. You would be way ahead of th $14,000 car. Or you could just put in a new SR20 for like $1,400 installed...
I am looking into getting rid of my NX2000 in favour of a 95-98 200SX SE-R which I would make a turbo project car. Either that or I will get a 200sx 1.6 L and make my Sentra a turbo car. Then I would only use the turbo car in the summer.
Just to ressurect this thread again.. i found out what the culprit really was in this situation..one of the bolts on the secondary part of the extractor was loose.. (ie the nut had fallen off) and the extractor bolt kept making that weird noise.....i still get that annoying BOV noise when i change gears though..dam thrust bearing..and i dont even have a turbo.... YET hehe
i went to the exhuast shop on saturday, and found out that my flex pipe had been hitting the front swaybar....anyways i ended up getting new shorter flex and new pipework to the cat hehe...this seems to have removed that thrust bearing sound i thought i had as well.....
I have the same problem with my 1997 se-r, sounds like rattle, I took mine to nissan, and they said it wasn't the chain, they outlast the motor itself, but it was the guides, there are 2 one the top and one on the bottom. If anything they would replace the guide or just leave it off. It's a costly job, you're looking about 1200.00 bones. 90 percent is the labor not the parts. Parts you looking about 270, for new chain and the 2 guides. the rest is all labor.
