The Nissan Juke has always been a popular subcompact CUV. This isn’t just because of its funky exterior, but it’s also because the Juke is inexpensive, fuel-efficient, and reliable. Regardless, there are some issues in the Juke, related to the power steering and the transmission. Another one is the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating.

A major reason for this is a faulty timing chain. Less serious causes include loose tappets and a lack of oil due to excessive oil consumption. Other possible reasons for the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating can be oil or exhaust leakage, plus injector and/or spark plug problems.

Most Juke owners can have this nuisance properly diagnosed and fixed. Others say that it is permanent; that you should ignore the noise and keep driving around. Before you get to an automotive technician to have your Juke checked out, take a look at the possible issues listed below.

Faulty Timing Chain

This is the most common reason for the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating. A ruined timing chain will bring about the clicking sound. This issue became so common that Nissan did a recall of the 2011-2013 Juke models for the timing chain.

Symptoms: The noise will get louder as you accelerate. Your motor may even stop responding to the throttle when you’re going fast. If it isn’t fixed, the timing chain can fail and this can cause the vehicle to stall. Plus, it is a safety issue as well.

It will also damage other important components with time such as the crankshaft. This problem has been reported in the 80-100k-mile range.

Solution: You’ll have to replace the timing chain ASAP. If the chain snaps, you’ll have to get the whole engine changed.

Cost: The Nissan Juke timing chain replacement cost is usually around $1500. Meanwhile, the engine replacement cost should be at least $8000.

Low Oil Levels

Nissan Jukes are said to be oil-thirsty but this is not true for most of them. Low oil levels only occur when there’s a leak or a piston/valve fault. A low oil level will decrease the oil pressure. Hence the engine components won’t be lubricated properly and they’ll hit each other to make the ticking sound.

Symptoms: You’ll be able to tell if the oil has been spilled where the vehicle’s parked. Oil burning has its own smell and smoke. When you drive without your topping off your oil, you’ll get the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating.

Oil burning also causes this and it is identifiable by its smell and exhaust smoke.

Solution: Fill up your oil and see if the noise persists. For an oil leakage, you must first identify where it’s coming from. This could be due to leakage of the drain plug, the crankshaft seal, the gasket, and/or any lines or valves.

In the case of excessive oil consumption, the culprit can be due to worn-out seals and gaskets, old piston rings, etc. Low-quality engine oil will also cause this.

Oil burning can happen due to worn-out engine components or just an unclean oil filter.  

Cost: A simple leakage fix where the seals have to be replaced will cost you around $150. It can become pricey if you’re dealing with pistons or gaskets though. It’ll easily exceed $1000 and can cost you a couple of thousand dollars depending on the extent of the problem.

Bad Lifters

Valve lifters can also cause the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating. An automotive technician is likely to check the lifters after checking for the oil. Low oil levels can cause excessive wear on these lifters and/or they can become clogged as well.

Symptoms: Apart from the obvious ticking sounds, there are several ways to identify bad lifters. Engine misfires and cylinder failure are two of them.

Solution: You’ll have to replace the bad hydraulic lifter(s).

Cost: On average, the cost of lifter replacement is usually around $500.

Exhaust Manifold Leakage

The exhaust manifold is an important part of your Juke. Damage to it will also cause the Nissan Juke ticking sound when accelerating. The waste from the combustion chamber is exhausted via the manifold. This will start leaking if there is any damage to it.

Symptoms: There are a couple of ways you can identify the leakage. A power reduction and the loudening of the exhaust noise are two common ones. These will happen alongside the ticking sound.

Cost: An exhaust repair should set you back around $400-600.

Wheel-Related Problems

The Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating doesn’t need to be coming from the engine. It can come from the vehicle’s wheels or body as well. This can be quite dangerous when you’re driving on a highway or freeway. The cause can be a damaged CV joint, run-down struts, or just loose hubcaps.

Symptoms: You’ll be able to tell if the ticking sound is coming from the wheels or the suspension.

Solution: Wheel repairs will be easy and cheap so you should have the wheels checked out first. If those aren’t the culprits, then you should have the suspension system checked out. A detailed inspection will likely be required.

Cost: Replacing the CV joints can cost you at least $800 ($200-300 less if the CV boot works). Replacing the struts will cost you the same. Repairing the wheels should be much cheaper in comparison.

Miscellaneous Issues

Many other issues can cause the ticking sound. A bad tensioner or idle pulley can cause it (both are related to the timing chain). Loose or worn-out spark plugs can also cause clicking sounds. A blown head gasket is quite a troublesome issue.

Symptoms: When hearing the clicking sound at idling, check the aforementioned pulleys first. You can identify bad spark plugs by misfires, surges, and the engine’s inability to start. A bad gasket has many symptoms including engine overheating, white smoke, low coolant levels, etc.

Solution: If the ticking noise on your Juke isn’t due to the other 5 aforementioned causes, then you should observe the symptoms for these miscellaneous issues.

Cost: A tensioner pulley will cost around $300 to replace, while an idler pulley will cost half of that. Replacing the spark plugs will cost you around $150. Head gasket replacement is priced at $1100-1500.

In Conclusion

These were the common issues responsible for the Nissan Juke ticking noise when accelerating. You should keep the symptoms in mind before you visit a mechanic. You are recommended to get the issue sorted out immediately.

FAQs

Can You Drive a Car with A Ticking Noise?

It depends on where the ticking noise is coming from. If it’s from the injectors, you shouldn’t worry. If it is from the wheels or the timing belt, then it is quite hazardous and you should head to the mechanic.

Why Is My Car Clicking While Idling?

It is usually because of the idler or the tensioner pulley.

Is Ticking Sound in Engine Normal?

A ticking sound from the engine is normal in most cases, yes. But they can be a sign of a dying engine as well, depending on the loudness.