Bad Rattle from the engine

DailyDrifter · **Unanswered: Bad Rattle from the engine -** 04-28-2003, 02:02 PM

My engine seems to be running fine, but on start up, and randomly when driving around I get this bad rattle that makes the car sound like a desiel truck. Any ideas what may be wrong/ costs to fix it, or can I do it myself? I need to get another 6 months or so out of my KA, then winter will hit and I'll have my SR done before summer. I don't want to have to drop a bunch of money into an engine I am gonna be pulling in half a year so any advice would be appreciated.

Touring240 · 04-28-2003, 02:43 PM

I've got the same thing but the sound doesn't go away
I've been told its the timing chain that has stretched and is hitting the valve cover

timing chains are not fun on hte KA24DE so wait for your SR . thats what I'm doing

johnsharpe · 04-28-2003, 03:05 PM

Touring240's got it...had the same issue on mine, but I opted for the chain replacement. If you're planning to pull the engine anyways, then don't waste your money.... IMHO...

endine · 03:43 PM

There is no chain on Ka24e, I guess on the de's ? I have the same rattle but only on start up! I know its not the belts , its also not the heat shield... I cant figure it out.... Im thinking its a bat Cat Converter... The sound just sounds like its comming from the engine bay cause its so close!!!

BREEZY240SX · 04-28-2003, 03:25 PM

It's probably the chain rattling then. The timing chain is right under your valve cover, so you'll have to take it off to check it out. Also, see if the timing chain guard has detached itself and is now sitting on top of the chain while it spins. This happened to me and another member that I know of. It could very likely be the cause of the noise.

Derek Zoolander · 04-28-2003, 03:48 PM

Take off the upper guide. No use for it.

DailyDrifter · 04-28-2003, 04:04 PM

Alright, thanks for the imput, I am gonna check it out a bit tomorrow I think.

Mavro · 04-28-2003, 06:57 PM

"There is no chain on Ka24e"

If this is true, then could you explain how your valvetrain works without one? That would be quite interesting.

bigears · 04-28-2003, 08:38 PM

gerbils, it's the gerbils....they must be making the noise!
you beat me on the no chain on the SOHC post, heh.

BREEZY240SX · 04-29-2003, 09:20 AM

You may need to buy a new valve cover gasket, too once you take that puppy off. Especially if it's been on there for a long time.

endine · 01:19 PM

!!! SURE!!!
Cause my ride has a flux capacitor!!.......J/J

"There is no chain on Ka24e, I guess on the de's ?"

When I wrote this I was trying to say that I didnt know if the de's or the e's had them . I thought they used timing belts not chains... If you havnt pulled a Ka engine before like me then You really wouldnt know....I am mechanicaly inclined to a certain degree... but everyone screws up.

bigears · 04-29-2003, 08:16 PM

s'ok just razzing you a bit. heh
both the SOHC and DOHC KA's have timing chains.

As for rattle on startup, it could be your timing chain...or your lifters making a little noise til the oil gets back up to the top. In higher mileage KA's that haven't been well maintained, the oil gets really junked up and garbage can clog up the oil passages. And if it's not clogged passageways, could be a sign that your oil pump is on it's last legs.

My SOHC rattles once in a while if it's been sitting for a while or it's a very cool morning and/or the oil is getting a bit old and needs changing.

RequiredAuto77 · 04-29-2003, 09:50 PM

bigears has my vote, had the same problem when i bought my car and a oil change fixed it. Same thing with my cousins car cuase he burns oil and when hes low it does it.
Description of mine :
Mornings, cold and hard revs. A loud "shudder". I always describe it as a shudder cuase it reminds me of being cold and when you shudder until you warm up. Will start low then build, stop, low build. More than likely if its the same, its just your oil.

aznromeox · 04-30-2003, 12:12 AM

If it sounds like a desiel truck. I think you should change your valve spring. I have the same problem. Its just a valve spring. Sometimes when starting the car or when driving it comes on. But it goes away after a little bit. Comes on whenever it wants.

DailyDrifter · 05-02-2003, 02:25 PM

After driving a bit more I have observed some other things that may help theorize the problem. The car doesn't seem to rattle when the shifter is in neutral, however the rattle seems very bad when the car is engine braking. I don't know if this helps at all.

Angry Slide · 05-03-2003, 03:41 PM

well i would crack it open and have a look before this happens

s13_drifter · 05-03-2003, 08:33 PM

I get a similar rattle, but mine happens consistently at around 1800-2000rpm, when accelerating or decelerating... as long as I'm revving around this range, this rattle will occur. Not sure if my rattle is coming from the engine bay or from underneath the car.. sounds more like underneath the car tho, but its hard to tell.

Anyways, if you're gonna get an SR, I don't think you should spend too much money on the KA.

nwdrifter · **rattling -** 05-16-2003, 02:57 AM

i have the same prob i talked to nissan it has to be the guides nissans dumb ass decided to revise the ka de and use less(different) guides so when you take it to nissan it will cost any where up to 900 depending how badly damage i suggest to go sr20 or ca18 or even rb25