Old Noise Rearing Its Head Again...

[SargeRX8]

When I got my car, it has always been making a ugly sound. Hard to explain but I had videos of it. I knew it was related to something right at the front of the engine. Either belt, bearing, cam gear cover. I changed my timing belt as my bearings were rooted and the problem went away. Just yesterday the sound game again. It is no where near as bad as before but its there and I don't like it. Same tap tap tap sound. Every half second at idle and increases with RPM. It is not audible if the bonnet is down. If I push the cam cover back towards the back of the engine with slight force the sound is gone, completely gone. As soon as I let go and the cover moves forward about 1 - 2mm it comes again. Its f**king annoying and I am almost tempted to rip the whole thing apart. Ive read on google and a fair people in the UK with skylines are having the same issue where if you push on the cam cover the sound goes away. It kind of sounds like lifter tapping sound but definitely not as fast as the lifters and it obviously isnt the lifter as I VERY much doubt pushing the cam cover will alter the sound under the rocker covers or move anything there.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Moodles2]

Does your cover have genuine nissan fasteners holding it on? They should be thick around the body, I dont know the technical name, its like a thick rubber jacket around it

[SargeRX8]

Do you mean the rubber grommet things? If so then yes, I replaced those when I done the belt as they were squished. I don't know if I need to remove the cam gears and replace some grommets or tighten something holding it to the head behind the cam gear but I do know that I don't want to take that timing belt off again.

[89CAL]

I had the same issue. Buy a carbon fibre timing cover made my noise go away lol

Otherwise check the back of your timing cover for the rubber/silicon seal that runs around the outside (also goes around the middle hole) to see if its broken etc as this would stop the vibration that would possibly be making the noise you are describing

[SargeRX8]

How much was the CF cover? I want a clear one lol but Ive got the ugly stock cam gears. If that silicone is worn, how is it replaced? I don't think its causing harm to the car but its harming my ears!

[GTScotT]

Can u take the belt cover off and run the motor?

I bet you will find your timing belt is frayed.

[89CAL]

Nah I think I had the same issue when i replaced my belt. Sounded like the belt was rubbing and spent about 3 hours trying to work out what the problem was. Found if I didn't quite do the middle bolt (and maybe the two lower ones as well) up all the way the noise wasn't so bad.

Changed my timing cover for te carbon fibre one not long ago after running with the new belt for about a year and a half and the belt is still perfect.

Having said that, it could be the belt in his case lol

[SargeRX8]

Belt is probably fine, it done the noise before, my old belt was mint condition. Ill check it out saturday.

[Moodles2]

It could be the crank angle sensor making the noise indicating it's on it's way out. I killed my CAS when i changed to a clear cover without using the washers from the old cover, acouple mm can make a big difference.

[SargeRX8]

It could be the crank angle sensor making the noise indicating it's on it's way out. I killed my CAS when i changed to a clear cover without using the washers from the old cover, acouple mm can make a big difference.

I've always run the sensor with the spacers. Its pushing on the other side of the cam cover which alters the sound. I'll get a video of it.