Hi I just upgraded to a KJ Verada from an R31 Skyline..not convinced the KJ engine is smoother than the sweet nissan 3.0litre but time will tell.. Anyway I bought the KJ with 76,000km on the clock - its one of the first KJ's off the assembly line - compliance on the 08/2000. The problem is that there is a light tapping noise coming from the left hand side (where all the ancillaries are). The car also shakes a bit on idle (but not in neutral) with the tacho reading at 250 revs (500 in neutral). Has anyone had this problem before ? It couldn't possibly be hydraulic lifters at this K's surely, my 320,000k R31 is smoother than this !! I think the two problems are related, any ideas ? I thought bearings but the k's are too low. Its had all of it's services - except timing belt. I'm thinking timing belt - but would it make a noise....tick tick tick tick.

Other than that the Daintree Green cars a pearler !!

Hi I just upgraded to a KJ Verada from an R31 Skyline..not convinced the KJ engine is smoother than the sweet nissan 3.0litre but time will tell.. Anyway I bought the KJ with 76,000km on the clock - its one of the first KJ's off the assembly line - compliance on the 08/2000. The problem is that there is a light tapping noise coming from the left hand side (where all the ancillaries are). The car also shakes a bit on idle (but not in neutral) with the tacho reading at 250 revs (500 in neutral). Has anyone had this problem before ? It couldn't possibly be hydraulic lifters at this K's surely, my 320,000k R31 is smoother than this !! I think the two problems are related, any ideas ? I thought bearings but the k's are too low. Its had all of it's services - except timing belt. I'm thinking timing belt - but would it make a noise....tick tick tick tick.

Other than that the Daintree Green cars a pearler !!

Mate, the Idle vibration when your waiting at the traffic lights with the foot on the brake and the car is left in D is common with all 3.5 magna\veradas. Mitsubishi has never rectified it, it was a problem that arose when they increased the capacity of the 3.0litre v6 to 3.5litres.

As far as the revs, well its pretty low generally, but i dunno if its as low on my dads 2001 KJ as 250, but that probably can be rectified by disconnecting the battery for a few mins and reconnecting it....but once reconnected you have to make sure u allow the car to idle for 5mins so that it can relearn its settings.

Engine noise, well i can say that when idleing or revving it ain't the quietest of engines, its got a throaty sound when accelerating which i find really nice, well idleing in PARK, its gotta a tap tapping noise, ain't the quietest, but its definately a smooth engine. You could take it up to the redline and you wouldn't feel any vibration through the steering wheel to suggest you were giving it some!!!!

Thanks for that. I've driven hire 3.5's and I just thought they were abused...guess not ! So the excuse I can use is "she's a stroker mate...". If it's common I'm not going to worry about. I read the thread on the idle problem and I have'nt bought a gregorys for this car yet but is there a simple idle adjustment screw like on the R31 ? I figure if I can advance the idel by only 50 minimum revs she'll be right. I notice the adaptive auto isn't as responsive as the R31 auto but goes like a rocket in tiptronic mode. I like tiptronic mode !

250rpm is way too low. Idle speed at neutral should be around 800rpm.

Don't know much about the vibration in gear since I own a manual, but I suspect worn engine mounts which you might want to have a look as well.

If you hear a light tapping noise from the top end then its probably just the usual tappets which isn't of any concern. If you are getting a tapping sound somewhere in the belts, it could be something to do with the crank bolt, which I'm currently having issues with but havnt had the time nor money to deal with it.

the idle speed seems rather low. My 3.5 idles at around 750rpm

also as far idle roughness, yeah my TL does that a bit too.. not much, but i have noticed it and thought it was a bit more then you would expect from a new car. but i just tend to ignore it.. i use to own a 4 cyl TR magna and a ecotec commodore so im use to it :badgrin:

its not a lifter noise - it's a bit heavier than that and it is coming from somewhere within the belts or at least that side of the engine. I'm going to set some time aside at the weekend and check it properly. It's just that it's quite loud at a maccas drive through and sounds like an abused rental hack - which i hate....

Tapping/clicking noise comes from your injectors snapping on/off, its normal.

Take off the plastic engine cover and it should get louder whilst bonnet is open.
Put a stethescope on each injector and you'll soon find the loudest clicker.


I've stopped worrying about it - can't hear it from inside. :P
But yeah, when the engine's running with the door open, sounds like
I'm driving a diesel. :doubt:

..not convinced the KJ engine is smoother than the sweet nissan 3.0litre
Can't be... Straight 6s will always be smoother than V6s.
A straight 6 is inherently self-balanced by design.


Anyone noticed when you rev it - instead of rocking side-2-side - Mitsu raises its nose? :P