I have an 04 Xterra 3.3L manual that on occasion will have a ticking sound kind of like a playing card in your bike spokes. It stays in rhythm with the engine RPM's. The sound tends to fade in and out too.
At 2800 RPM, it may be doing 8-10 ticks per second and at idle it is doing about 2-3 ticks per second.
It only happens after you have been driving for at least 10 or 15 minutes. and occurs when on the freeway.
If I get off the freeway and drive a couple of miles to my house, the noise stops by the time I get home.
Engine temp gauge is right in the middle and I've checked all the fluid levels.
Started happening on occasion and has been happening more lately (started about 3 weeks ago).
Curious to know if anyone else has had this happen and what might be the cause.

Found that an oil change did the trick… I’m guessing it was a lifter that wasn’t getting enough oil.
Apparently I can't count, the ticks per second were much more than I posted. :screwy: