Ok, here goes.

My 85 maxima starts and runs just fine, maybe a little doggy. For the first few minutes of run time, this thing sounds like a diesel engine, and I was wondering if anyone else was experiencing this, and what could be done to resolve it.

Also, on a difficulty rating/time consumption rating, how hard is the clutch to install from a 1-10?

And finally, there is a 3 way switch next to the e-brake that looks like a little shock or strut. Can anyone tell me what that is for or does?

Thanks!

 

it sounds like a diesel but its not right?

does it shake super bad?

any smoke?

sorry i'm only asking these questions to help the others get some more info to figure it out

and the 3 way switch could only in my mind be the suspension adjustment...but i dont have it so i am not positive as to what it looks like

 

Is it like a loud ticking noise when you start it up cold, and goes away in a minute? If so, it sounds like the hydraulic lifters are leaking, meaning that when you start it up they are semi-collapsed and need a moment to pump back up. Hydraulic lifters are self adjusting, but the noise you hear before they pump up is basically the same as if your valve lash was adjusted too loose.

I wouldn't worry about it if it isn't too loud and doesn't last more than a minute, mine has been doing it for two years, and I've heard quite a few other VG30's do it too.

 

Yeah, mine occasinally has the ticking too when I start cold, it seems to be more noticeable when it comes closer to oil change though. However, if it does it for an extremely long period of time (like all the time, of more than 5-10 minutes), as Wylie sorta pointed out, you could have a bad lifter.

The 3 way switch is for adjusting the suspension dampening. S=Soft, N=Normal, F=Firm.

S

 

No, there is no smoke, and it does not shake, I'm beginning to think it could be that the timing is retarded far enough to make the engine ping, but I'll check into it. Looks like I'm gonna need a chilton's :P

 

So the motor sounds like it's actually pinging, but then goes away? When you turn the ignition to the on position, do you hear the fuel pump turn on? And when it knocks, is it a light knock, or does it seem like it comes deep inside the motor? Any oil consumption of any kind?

S

 

Yes, it goes away after about 5 mins of runtime when the engine is first started. I DO hear the fuel pump when I turn the key to "ON" and as far as I can see, there is little to no oil consumption. Could the timing be causing this when the engine is cold?

 

I doubt it. The knocking almost sounds like it could be mechanical (I.E. main crank bearings). Could be the main bearings are dry when you start. It makes the noise, but then goes away when oil starts flowing. What kind of oil pressure are you seeing when the car starts?

S

 

my gusse can also be piston slap (piston slaping the cilender walls) and stoping when the piston/s and cilender/s are expanded with the heat. if so that a hole rebuilding thing.

 

It looks to be around 30PSI

 

Is this when starting cold, and I agree, it could be piston slap.

S