stillen

Hi Guys, I looked everywhere on the net and on forums trying to figure out this problem. Asked around even with some sr20det experienced mechanics, nobody knows how to fix it. I have an S14 SR20DET. The engine rattles over the valve cover on the intake side only between 1000rpm-2000rpm. Now when the VTC solenoid is disconnected, it doesn't do that sound but driving the car without VTC sux. Anyway this is what we have tried so far:
1.Replaced the cam (didn't work)
2.Replaced the Intake cam sproket (didn't work)
3.Replaced the VTC solenoid (didn't work)
4.Cleaned the oil pan and what ever is at the bottom of the block (didn't work)

Watch the video at this link of the sound:
http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/f...ent=Rattle.flv

And mind you this engine was fully rebuilt with new everything. It didn't do that sound until I drove it about 400miles. And I broke it in smoothly, I never reved it above 3000rpm for 2000miles. I hope somebody here knows the solution. PLEASE HELP. By the way the car runs and pulls hard no problem but the sound bothers me.

kuruptR

I have had the same problem on both my s14 sr20dets.

Its a timing chain rattle. I had replaced the tensioner/oilpump/chain/guides. After replacing this, the sound was still there. I got a few second opinions, they gave me the its the VTC... or so and so. Well no one could figure it out, so I drove with it for a few more months. As I drove it longer the oil light stayed on longer after start up.

I ended up getting the motor warranteed. Now I have the same problem, but not as severe. They ended up fixing the motor I returned, It seems to be common that the bearings get shredded when the motor is started after being stored for so long.

Get the oil pressure back up and you should be good.

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stillen

I have a brand new oil pump, and the oil light doesn't or stay on at all after start up. The oil level never dropped and it has been in tere now for 2500miles, mind you we changeed the oil when that rattle came on.

Koopa Troopa

Oil pressure isn't the problem. SR heads are designed to have low oil pressure.
Hell I got 3 places on my valve cover where bolts are missing or snapped off the head and I don't leak any oil.

SR heads are also noisy. If you can't find anything wrong with the head there prolly isn't anything wrong.

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jackal264

i also ran into this problem with my first s14 sr and like you every one i had look at it said it was the vvt but no one could fix it.... but i ran the car like that for 6 months untill the engine finally went

khilgers

timing chain guide perhaps?

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florante rea

someone told me the rattle cause by worned out o-ring inside the cam sprocket. i am worried about this problem too. i can double check my sources again.

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fdrea

stillen

It is related to the VTC solenoid. When it is disconnected, there is no sound. We changed that, we also changed the cam and we also changed the sprocket, all taken from an engine that doesn't make that sound. All that didn't correct it.

stillen

Guys please watch the video and tell me if you know about this problem and how to fix it. Please read the beginning of the thread to explain to you what I hav done to try to fix it. Thanks. Any input other than the above is appreciated.

http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/f...ent=Rattle.flv

kuruptR

Honestly try replacing the bearings, this is a very common problem. We have sold hundreds of sr20dets. Though the light maynot come on its a oil pressure problem. Its been a while since you first posted, now seeing this problem more and more this is the solution.

A new Oil pump may increase the pressure a little, if you dont want to pull the motor just take of the subframe. Hang the motor do even the first two sets of bearings and you will notice a differnce.

Also, if you changed or updated the timing chain with a timing chain kit. The dealer tells me with the new(updated) ones you wont need the top guide no more as the noise usually comes from this.

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sean350z

Have you tried just for kicks replacing the S14 cam gear with an S13 one and cam while having the solenoid disconnected? Doing this will completely rule out that it's a NVCS thing and it's worth a try condsidering it's rather easy to do.

Other questions...Did you reshim your head? Did you bleed your lifters? Did you replace the chain tensioner? Did you double check your torque of all bolts? Does it happen under load in all rpms?

All moving parts in the head should be checked before ripping apart the bottom end. The fact that it happens on throttle tip in and then also on decel at low rpms seems like it'd be a timing chain thing maybe possibly the tensioner not getting old pressure or something or just not functioning correctly.

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stillen

Well when I disconnect the NVCS solenoid the rattle goes but I lose a lot of torque. My next mission is to bleed the lifters and replace the timing chain tensioner. I don't hear it as much in the higher RPM range, but I hear it for sure at 4000rpm when I let go of the gas.

The motor was looked at 2 sr20 mechanics one of them in PA and one in NY and we can't figure it out. According to one in PA and I trust him he looked at it and said the head doesn't need to be reshimmed and he said it is not the lifters. But I want to bleed them to make sure that it is not the lifters.

And the bearings are brand new, the oil pump is also brand new. Timing chain kit is not new.

Thanks for your input I really appreciate it.

lazy240

hey it sounds like my quad

MangoDorifto

It's the notorious S14 SR20DET VVT cam sprocket rattle. Very common in S14 SR20DET's. My motor makes the same exact noise. Sounds like a Mercedes-Benz Diesel? It's making that noise because the intake cam sprocket is advancing and retarding itself between 1,500 to 5,000 rpm.

You've already answered your own question, you said when the solenoid is disconnected, the sound goes away but you lose low end torque. Which is exactly what's suppose to happen.

With everything still connected, rattle and all.. Push in the clutch, pop it into first gear and blip the throttle, noise go away? If so, it's your VVT sprocket. Theres not much info on here about the rattle but if you do some research over on sxoc.com you'll find all your answers. VERY commmon s14 sr20det problem.

Nissan Part # 13025-65f00 is for the s15 VVT sprocket, if you want to replace it but it's spendy and not a for sure fix, it'll fix it but the noise MIGHT come back later. Only real fix is to eliminate the VVT sprocket all together with either adjustable cam gear or s13 sr20det sprocket, i've heard the sr20de sprocket should work too.

eek

have the same noise/issue. For me, it only happens when i 1st start the car and rev it (as in if i'm trying to drive the car or reverse it) After that, its dead silent. So if you replace the vvt sprocket w/ a adjustable cam gear you will loose the vvt rite? And from what i remember u have to use a s13 cam bolt or use a s13 intake cam if you change out the cam sprocket.

hellaflush

same here

another noisey s14 sr

im going to try and sell the motor to some douchebag before i get pissed at it and blow shit up on limiter

that or maybe pull it out and strip it down for a factory rebuild - just new seals, timing chain, lifters, minor head work, valves and springs)

i dont see a need to touch the bottom end apart from bearings and o-rings (pending the pistons/rods are cool)

fliprayzin240sx

^^^Hence the reason most people ditch the VVT. If your worried about the power lost without the VVT, then throw in some aggressive ass S13 cams and you should be golden. My buddys S15 did this shiet intermittently. He pulled the S15 VVT and threw in some Tomei Poncams he had on his S13 and fixed the problem.

Is the timing chain guide still there?

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The Chad

No SR20 here, but my KA had a phantom rattle under the valve cover and it was a bad timing chain guide (took it off), abt a year later i got another rattle in the same spot, it was the Timing Chain Tensioner that was bad. Bought a timing rebuild "kit" and was good to go. I don't know if this relates to your SR20 but i fig i'd try and help. Good luck!!

sean350z

If it only does it at startup when you first blip the gas it's just the solenoid not the sprocket from what I've seen. I replaced my solenoid b/c I had the same exact problem and it fixed it.

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Koopa Troopa

In all honesty I'd just get rid of the VTC.. It never made a difference for me and if it's fucking up I'd just get rid of it before it creates more problems..

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njd07

haha i have a similar noise...s14sr aswell. does it when I blip the throttle ...just for like 1/2 sec. I guess its very common after reading everyones comments. I wouldnt worry about it.

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sr parts fs: http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=193399
s14 parts fs:http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=193420
180sx part out http://zilvia.net/f/sale-items/203711-180sx-part-out-lots-jdm-goods-180sx-sr20det-parts-jdm-aftermarket.html

lbsam

I replaced the vct sprocket and the noise is gone..

xxchurroxx

following up....did you ever fix this problem?

just found this on youtube
exactly how my car sounds right now. i contacted the guy and he said he replaced the VTC sprocket and the noise went away. so that's what i'm gonna be doing here in the next few days.

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ant_s13

my S13 SR did this sound since i got it rebuilt. few hundred kms into it (like the original poster of this topic) it started rattling under the cover.

had it checked lots of times, had all the timing gear replaced 2-3 times, im already running an upgraded oil pump from a GTi-R Pulsar, tried it with guide in there and guide out, newer timing gear, etc STILL Does it.

ive given up really, cant get rid of it!

smelly240

i have a similar noise as well... anyone know? i have a s13 sr (perhaps my tensioner is toast - ill pull it out in a few hours - things only a few years old


car runs perfectly normal - ill go out and pull the valve cover and see whats goin on.

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MY FARTS STILL SMELL LIKE C16

red240

Mine does it on start up!

smelly240

wow - my chain def grazes the valve cover... (i havent had the top guide in a long time) I dunno if thats my noise tho... I'm gonna pull the tensioner and have a look at it.

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MY FARTS STILL SMELL LIKE C16

MangoDorifto

Mine sounded worse than the video posted up above. I purchased the car with the notorious rattle. PO said he had a professional inspect it and was told a complete timing job would cure it. Thought before I tear into the motor to do a timing job, I'd try my luck at replacing the VVT sprocket... I'll let the pics speak for themselves..

Mattlanta

This is bittersweet.

I have an S14 SR with the EXACT same noise, and it only happens on startup. As soon as I pull away, the noise is gone and won't come back until I shut the car down for at least a few minutes and start it back up. After reading all the comments on here, I do also notice some of the same noise on decel, if the conditions are just right; medium-heavy decel load, usually 3rd or 4th gear.

Car runs strong though, but it was making me crazy not knowing what this mystery noise is. I hate that everyone has to deal with this, but I'm glad you all shared your experience cause now I know what I need to do to make it go away!!!

One question... should I do the sproket first, then the solonoid, or the other way around, or both at one??? I'm not sure what's involved.

Thanks!

s0apgun

sounds like timing chain rattle had it on my s14