Wierd noise coming from my engine....

My 93 maxima se has a wierd ticking noise coming from the engine. My friend says it might be the lifters. I don't know what it is but can someone tell me and also tell me what I might be expecting to pay for repairs.

The two most common noises on the se max (ve motor ) are exhaust man leak, and vtc sprocket noise. the exhaust noise on those engines do not sound like normal exhaust noise.

Take a screwdriver, place it on engine, ear on handle, listen/locate sound source.

If its VTC, ppl say that grounding helps; minuscle effect in pwr...

Wrong oil filter can also affect oil flow - thus lifters. I use only Nissan filters (no price gouging here, owhy?).

Cleanup may help.

Does the motor make noise then stop then start up and then stop?