Hi,

I started hearing this rattling noise from the engine compartment for a week now. I took it to the local Nissan shop and they found nothing wrong with the car!

I suspect it is from the S-belt or alternator. Anybody familiar with this symptom? Though I feel the engine is running a bit rough there is no apparent loss of power. The noise is more noticeable when the engine is cold and the it is a constant (rotational) noise.

Appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks
MM

 

Timing belt tensioner maybe?

 

my car rattles under gentle acceleration, just after the 1-2 shift. A/T. But it's just a half-second rattle, not a constant rattle. It sounds to be coming from the passenger side on mine.

 

I had a rattle coming from my engine aswell, turned out to be the heat-shielding on the exhaust manifolds.

Only made a noise at lower RPM's around the 2000 mark (noticed it in carparks n such). Most of it is easy to remove but one peice (on the VG at least) is tack welded on and is harder to remove

Dunno if this is what you are hearing but it fixed my problem

 

Yeah it just rattles for a split second until I build a little speed in 2nd, and never happened in 3rd or OD. I figured it was heat shielding. Doesn't bother me much, if that's all it is. As long as it's not a serious problem, I can deal with a little rattle for now. Can't it just be tightened/secured, to prevent rattling?

 

No, I had the heat-shield issue before. But that has been taken care of! This is definitely from the front of the vehicle. I think it could be from any of the belts or alternator losing its ball bearings. Let me know your thoughts.

 

the alternator rarely loses it's bearings (GM CS series alternators excluded).
use a long screwdriver to listen to the pulleys to see which one is howling.

 

Thanks Internetautomar! I guess its gonna be one of the pulleys.

 

The story continues:
The Nissan people say nothing wrong with the car! Next day the rattling increased and I took it to nearest service shop. They said power steering tensioner pulley is wobbly and went ahead and replaced it. However, when I checked the noise was still there. So, they say, next suspect is the power steering pump itself.
I did not replace the powe steering pump yet but decided to wait. After a freeway trip the noise increased and suddenly stopped! Any clue what is happening with this car? I suspect the trouble might come back later.
Thanks in advance.

 

By low do you mean low frequency (bass) or low volume (quiet) of noise?

 

I had a metallic rattling noise the other week, and it ended up being the washer on the driveshaft pulley bolt. I don't know how it got loose, but I took care of that one right away.

 

It is low volume. However, since posting the question in this forum I had it loud too sometimes.

 

To help narrow down what accessory is the culprit of the noise,try removing each accessory belt,then run the engine for a minute until you find the one that removes the noise...

 

How many Miles? Ive had....about 10 different rattles in my experiences. Please remember.....we have 15+ year old cars and its given we will all run into these things.

 

Agreed. But I have had the main pully bolt come loose, this cause the washer to rattle and also the pully to rattle on the woodruf key, most of the noise went away when I removed the drive belts which made it hard to track down.

Remember not to run the engine too long without the drive belts connected as the water pump will not be running!!

 

Just shy of 100K miles.

 

Not really helping now, but if you dont get the problem fixed Ill be back in columbus in a few weeks and I can help out in person then.

What side of the engine bay does it sound like it comes from? Does it only do it when driving or idling with the hood proped too?

~Alex

 

It is coming from the passenger side of the engine bay that is why I suspected the belts. Now the mechanic confirms that it is the power steering pump. I am still driving around and the noise is not too loud (or am I getting used to it? ). The noise is there even when the car is idling (with hood propped).
-MM

 

Does it change pitch when you turn? Most failing PS pumps whine more when your turning or at low speeds. You can take the ps belt off or loosen it alot and run the car for a second to see if thats the problem.

~Alex

 

Talking about whining....yes I have started noticing it while I park my car. I will try loosening the belts. Should I just slip the belt off or do I have to take some precautions?
MM

 

Just take it off. You may have to take the other belts off, if thats the case you can just tie it out of the way so it doesn't rub the harmonic balancer (big main pully that drives every thing).

~Alex

 

Here are the problems with my car now:
1. Rough idling (in the past had good experience with techron fuel injector cleaner)
2. Cracked CV boot seals -- so need to change the axles
3. Power steering pump (related to the groaning I mentioned in previous posts) -- though I don't hear that noise that often now.

Which of the above should I get repaired sooner?

 

i'd say axles. not something you want to ignore. if one siezes for getting a piece of anything up inside the boot and into the races themselves, you're in big trouble especially if you're in heavy traffic.

 

I'd do the pump first.

 

+1 The axles will last for a few thousand miles clunking, and the bad pump can/will take the rack with it. Also make sure the rack isnt leaking or has split boots.

~Alex

 

my car:
PS line leak - CHECK, very top of the system @ RH FST
torn tierod boot - CHECK, RH

uh oh...

(btw i stopped reading as soon as I saw axles. I never actually read the 3rd option on his list. so when I saw PS pump i was like "wait he didn't mention that... oh.. yeah he did.")