Hey guys. My '93 Max SE w/ 92K miles has been making an odd noise for awhile. I'm thinking it may be exhaust related. When I first start out with a cold engine I get the infamous manifold stud chirping sound which goes away after warmup so I know I do need stud work. But after the car is warmed up and "heatsoak" sets in(next project replace the damn knock sensor! ) I get a low piched growling/gurgling noise from the front end. It only happens below 3500 RPM and usually only in 1st gear(automatic). The pitch of the noise raises with the RPMS. Is this manifold stud related or is it something else? If it matters the trany was rebuilt but it shifts fine. I wish I had a sound clip for you guys but I don't, sorry.Any suggestions and if there are, how much $$$ are we talking about? I'm not a do it yourself person unfortunatly so a shop would have to do the work. Thanks for your help.

BTW: Any high quality reasonably priced shops in the Boynton/Delray/ West Palm Beach Florida area?

 

I forgot to mention that the noise rarely if ever happens when light throttle is applied. Medium to full throttle provides a strong dose of the noise.

 

tranny input shaft bearing. call your tranny shop and start sucking D@!#)(%*!!!

 

Mine has a similar noise, its like a growl or hum and goes away at above 1500 rpm. Always happens in the same range of rpm and regardless of whether or not Im in nuetral,park or drive with my auto trans. Im thinking it might be exhaust on mine. I just had the rear manifold and studs replaced, but they said the front was ok, but I think I can hear a leak there. I might try and tackle to front especialy since I can see and feel that the studs and nuts are still there for now.
Hope you find a cause.

 

NOOOOO!!!! Hey Matt, Any chance its not this? It sounds way expensive! Like I said the tranny shifts fine so I'm still hopeful its a manifold stud issue. But if this is the problem how long can the tranny last?

 

Hmmm.. I didn't notice the automatic part last time I read it...

in that case, I really don't know. could be torque convertor problems, or even the engine knocking. have you advanced your timing? what's the weather like there? what octane fuel are you using?

 

I have a loud noise from the engine on a cold start. Goes away after a few or when I go over probably 1500rpm's. At first I thought it was my vtc's, it's not(grounded them and still made noise). Now I think it's my lifters, but it's really loud. Could it be the knock sensor? Thanks guys.

 

Sigh of relief . Anyway, timing is stock, no engine knocking. VTCs are good, replaced by Nissan in '97 and the tranny was rebuilt by Nissan in '98. I live in South Florida and its been very hot and humid this summer. its been pretty rainy this week. I use 89 or 91 octane(never 87). Maybe I should bite the bullet and go with 93 and see if that helps matters.Thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep you posted. If anyone can think of other possibilities please post.