Noise at start-up when cold???

Checking back in.......bought the '94 G20t last April. I've put 20,000 trouble free miles on it since then, but have a noise that's getting more obvious:

During cold starts, there's occasionally a momentary knocking sound that I hear. It is NOT like a sticky lifter sound, but a bit "deeper" sounding. The noise totally disappears in a couple seconds, and the engine runs perfectly thereafter.

The car's got 117,000 miles now. Any ideas out there?

BTW, the G20 makes a great SCCA RallyCross car with the limited slip diff. Go to www.subiegal.com or www.oregonrally.com and see the pics of my G drifting through the slop! I invite any of you Northwesterners to join us for some fun.
-Don Swier

Make sure you are using a OEM Nissan Filter or a filter that has pressure on start up. If not, it might take longer for the oil to lube internals.

And, I always use 5W30 due to a TSB that was released back in I think it was 93 or 94 that the SR20's should be using that viscosity for all temps, except Alaskan type temperature.

Also, do not know when the timing chain tensioner was upgraded, but you might want to see which version you have. The upgrade is bulkier and has a larger flowing area for oil to pass through it.

That might help out with the startup clatter.

Anyone else with some ideas?

Originally posted by northwestrally
Checking back in.......bought the '94 G20t last April. I've put 20,000 trouble free miles on it since then, but have a noise that's getting more obvious:

During cold starts, there's occasionally a momentary knocking sound that I hear. It is NOT like a sticky lifter sound, but a bit "deeper" sounding. The noise totally disappears in a couple seconds, and the engine runs perfectly thereafter.

The car's got 117,000 miles now. Any ideas out there?

BTW, the G20 makes a great SCCA RallyCross car with the limited slip diff. Go to www.subiegal.com or www.oregonrally.com and see the pics of my G drifting through the slop! I invite any of you Northwesterners to join us for some fun.
-Don Swier

I can pretty much assure you that's the hydraulic lash adjusters pumping up. It sounds deeper than most lifter ticks in the SR20. It's the classic symptom. The SE-R folks are quite familiar with this (I have a 91 SE-R and a 91 G20).

I have a theory that the start-up clatter is caused by oil leaking past seals in the chain tensioner, but I don't have any hard data to prove it. I came to this conclusion after examining a tensioner and the head on the SR20. The main gallery for the intake HVLAs empties into the gallery feeding the tensioner. So, the oil slowly leaks past the seals (again, this is just and educated guess - and the best one put forth so far). It seems to start up or go away when folks change the tensioner. On rare occasions it starts or stops with a change of oil filter or brand of oil.

The good news is it doesn't appear to hurt anything.

I have entertained some thoughts of building an SCCA IT G20. The problem will be where it's classed. If it's classed in ITS with the SE-R and NX2000 it will be too heavy to be competitive. If it's in ITA it would probably kick some serious ass. I shared the track at Texas World Speedway earlier this year with last year's ITA winning car and the SE-R stomped it. The G20 wouldn't stomp it on the straight, but should be excellent in the twisty stuff.

I have the same noise and people told me its the hydralic lifters...but I don't know....same symptoms but engine seems fine...

hmm, i have the same problem with mine, but once i had a new axhaust fitted the rattle went away. i don't know if we're talking about the same obnoxious noise, but i thought i'd post this just in case that's your problem.

Does the noise occur when the engine actually starts? Does it also happen if the key is turned around to on (or is it called accessory - I can never remember -->ie turn it as far as possible without the engine starting). When I do this on my car I get this noise as well. I always though it was something to do with my A/C powering up. It lasts about 2 seconds and then stops, as if it is up to pressure. Is this a problem or is it normal?

Thanks for the feedback.......it's hard to describe noises in writing, huh?

I'm positive it's not an exhaust problem (good guess, anyway) and it doesn't appear until the engine is kicking over. I'm convinced it's coming from the vicinity of the cam chain, so I'm having a Nissan/Infiniti tech take a close look (hear) next week. I'm also convinced it's just a minor problem. One thing that attracted me to the G20 was the fact that the cams are not belt-driven as on many other "interference" multi-valve engines.

I'll post the details when I know. - Regards, Don

it is a classic symptom huh?

Originally posted by northwestrally
Thanks for the feedback.......it's hard to describe noises in writing, huh?

I'm positive it's not an exhaust problem (good guess, anyway) and it doesn't appear until the engine is kicking over. I'm convinced it's coming from the vicinity of the cam chain, so I'm having a Nissan/Infiniti tech take a close look (hear) next week. I'm also convinced it's just a minor problem. One thing that attracted me to the G20 was the fact that the cams are not belt-driven as on many other "interference" multi-valve engines.

I'll post the details when I know. - Regards, Don

I guarantee you it's the HVLAs pumping up. It's a common SR20 issue. If the tech tells you otherwise, he's just taking your money. The SR20 makes a deeper noise than most lifters ticks.

Lifters it is !!!......thanks again. This sound is so subdued and momentary, it's no cause for alarm. It's just that I was accustomed to the different lifter sound from my old 8V GTI.

BTW, nice article, George. SCC sure has come a long way from its first issues, when they just appeared to be a source for tasteless cosmetics trash for Hondas. Now they're chock full of articles about motor swaps, rally beaters, real-life tire tests and rarely have silly articles on who makes the largest bootlid wing on the market.

P10DET Is quite right its the cam chain tensioner rattleing until the oil pressure builds up enough to start lubricating it.Nothing to worry about unless it goes on longer than approx 2 seconds.

As an extra assurance, it's the lash like everyone says. I'm almost positive that it happens to every SR20DE owner.