Evan

Has anyone experienced an engine rattle that occurs at startup and goes away. I have a 2003 SE and it has developed a metallic rattle that seems to come and go and is noticeable immediately after I start the car. The engine runs normally, no lights or codes. It sounds like something attached to the engine is slightly loose and when the car is idling at higher revs after starting, it rattles. The car has 4200 kms on it.

I dropped it off at the dealer and, of course, it would not rattle for them. They parked it for a couple of hours and then started it and went over it again. Aparently one of the techs spent an hour looking for the rattle and could not find anything. I've left it with them overnight and I hope they can figure it out in the morning.

Has anyone heard this on their car? It sounds like it is coming from the bottom of the engine compartment on the side with the accessory belt. Is there an exhaust shield down there that could be loose?

Y2KSESteve

iTrader: (22)

Are you using synthetic oil?

Evan

No.

I will likely switch at my next oil change. I used to use synthetic in my old 98SE and the engine always felt really smooth.

02MaximaSE

The sound of the timing chain tightening up.

kinda like a chatter sound?

its usually louder at first in the morning. it'll turn over and right when the engine starts up, it goes clak clak chatt. then goes away? Its probably the timing chain.

Evan

I was thinking timing chain originally. But at 4000 kms? I guess if the VQ was not assembled correctly at the factory.

I'd be a little suspicious of initial build quality if that is the problem.

02MaximaSE

my pathfinder 3.5 does the same thing, and so does our murano.

Evan

Has your dealer done anything about it?

I find this to be loud enough that it is pretty anoying. To me, it sounds like something is broken.

The sound will appear for 10 seconds, go away for a few seconds and then come back. I had the car out on the highway for an hour and when I got off and stopped at a traffic light, it was still making the noise.

I could put up with the rattle if I was driving a 1989 K-Car. Not a brand new Maxima.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

yeah i get it once in awhile in the morning. but thats it. nothing to worry about.

eclane

E55AMG2

iTrader: (4)

Every time I rev mine, I hear something that sounds like a sheet of metal rattling. Its more noticable when I let off the throttle. Anyone ever experiece this. (also this happens after the engine is warm)

NizanDrivn

I get a rattling sound in the mornings when I start the car sparingly...by that I mean ~1/month...The rattle I have is short lived, about two seconds immediately when the car first starts, the it never comes back... I got 19k with no probs (except rotors )....

Sam03

I remember reading here that its a common occurence on the 02-03's. Something to do with the tensioner on the timing chain being un-lubricated at the initial start-up.

Its a normal thing, even though it sounds horrible. My 03' has done it on occassion since I have gotten it, (and I am very particular with my maintenance) and I haven't noticed anything bad with the car at 11k miles.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

We are a direct Autobody repair shop for a local Nissan dealership.

Every 3.5L Nissan we get makes that same noise. It's one of the reasons I'm keeping my 4th gen for a long time.

Proline Body and Chassis
545 River Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-398-1512

NT2SHBBY

I know my 3.5 runs very rough before it warms up....once it's warm, it idles fine, altho every so often it will miss.....

this is normal though

JAKE02

Since when is it normal for the 3.5 to idle rough and miss? I know mine doesnt.....

Maximax2

You may not have noticed it - mine doesn't idle smoothly either, and the three other 2k3 Maximas I test drove (to check the dealer's comment of "that's normal") did too. Maybe it's the definition that's throwing you? It doesn't really idle "roughly", so much as there are consistent misses at idle.

On the clatter at start up, per other threads that happens before the oil pressure gets up enough to tension the timing chain. Normal.

Evan

I have also noticed that the engine is not as silky smooth when idling as the old 3.0L VQ was. I always felt with my 98 that when the engine computer decided that the engine should idle at 750 rpm, the engine would idle exactly at that level (the needle would be perfectly flat). While the 3.5L is still pretty smooth, it does not have the same feeling of smoothness and refinement that the old motor had. (the old motor certaintly did not have the punch that this one has) Maybe it is because mine is still pretty new.

Re: the timing chain noise - Since the noise I've heard comes and goes and I've heard it after the car has been running for a while, I don't think that it relates to a low oil pressure at startup issue.

The dealer called and wasn't able to hear any noise today either. I guarantee that as soon as I pick the car up from the dealer it will rattle.

Anyway, it sounds like something that you guys have experienced also and is not a sign of a problem. Thanks for your responses.

chinaonnitrous1

iTrader: (12)

geez..i really wish i could drive over and have you guys paint my car.

MDC

Mine does that every once in a while. I estimate it to be about a second long though, immediately after/when starting th engine. Maybe it has something to do with the starter?

MONTE 01&97 SE

iTrader: (1)

Thats true abou tthe smoothness I can feel the differene as well, also a few write ups on the 3.5 I have read have said the same thing. That is is a little rougher around the edges than the old 3.0 VQ.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

yes. but alot faster.

Evan

Yes. The extra 65 hp makes me feel a little better.

Jaws

No. Its the timing chain rattle IMO. Mine has it and Mobil 1 does nothing to silence it.

sascuderi

I first noticed the rattle on start up in my 95 Max from day one, especially if the car sat for more than 24 hours. That car now has 130K miles and is still going strong (Sister has it)

My 2000 I30 has never had the rattle.

We now have the Murano (our third VQ!) and so far have not noticed it.

Yes our family are Nissan fans, and get this...my Dad who has always owned an American car (usually Buicks) is about to buy a 2003 Q45 !