There was a post going around a few weeks ago about a grinding noise when the car was first started up on cold mornings. Well, i was going to take apart my starter and regrease it like suggested, but it was to much of a pain in the *** to get out, so i didn't bother.
What i did do though, is i changed my fuel filter (and cleaned the throttle body). I haven't changed the fuel filter in a while, but since i haven't heard the grinding noise (about 10 days now. I heard the sound 1-2 a week). It was 12 degrees this morning so it was time for the real test. The car started fine, no noise. For the people who have this noise:
when was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

 

It's hard to imagine that grinding noise has anything to do with the fuel filter. Recently I have noticed that noise when I start my car in the morning. It only lasts a fraction of a second so I am not that conerned yet. Is it really the starter or could it be the belt?

 

I think its the valves talking. Mine do it for a FRACTION of a sec on REALLY cold mornings only. I am not sure that it is a big deal, thus I am not going to do a thing about it.

SHUMAX

 

mine is loud in the cold too!!! it kinda squeals a little bit but after 5 seconds or so it becomes screaming crickets... you are talking about your supercharger right?
Vic

 

well my 95 se did that for a while then it started to **** me off so I took it over to a friend and he told me with a maxima spec book wich is mine it,s the timing chain guides wich wen coold they make a ''clacking'' noise .du to the chain slack he told me he just finished replacing four guides on a 96 max last week but am good for another 20g miles make sure our oil level is right on each week and rock on .oh the guides are silly expensive since they come factory only like $850 for all 4 well you gota do what you gota rock on max peep,s

 

When was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

I think when it's cold and the filter is old and worn, the gas has trouble going though.

Everyone:
If you haven't changed your filter in a while, you should do it anyway....see if it fixxes the problems....post back

 

My 98 SE used to have the cold engine starting noise, but after I started using synthetic oil (only in winter) the noise has since disappeared. I think in my case it has to do with grade of oil (5w30 in the summer)because before, the colder the wheather the louder the noise. Before my Max, I had a 94 Altima and it the same thing, but after replacing normal with synthetic oil in winter the noise also disappeared.

Hope my experience helps.

 

I just changed the fuel filter about two weeks ago, and it still makes that grinding noise for about a second or two when i start it... It doesn't really bother me so I;m probably just gonna let it be and wait for the warm weather to fix the problem.

 

I am ready to draw a conclusion on this, at least my car. I didn't have this problem until I recently changed oil. I used 10W30 instead of 5W30 this time because I ran out of 5W30. 10W30 is probably too thick for winter.

 

There is a TSB out on the timing chain; rattle when cold Have your car checked out. If the chain jumps kiss your engine goodbye.

 

I have a new finding on this. I changed the spark plugs on the car over the weekend. I think the car still had the original plugs (NGKs). I was going to get the NGK's but the local Kragen only carries NGK with copper core (V-Groove). The store clerk told me they are just as good as platinum but I didn't agree with him. I ended up getting some Champion platinum tipped plugs. I didn't notice any difference when I test drove the car.

This morning, just as cold as any other mornings in the past month, when I started the car, I did not hear any grinding noise at all. I don't know if it's even relavent.

 

I think the store clerk was partially right: the copper NGK plugs would work well, except that you have to replace them 3x more often than the platinum NGK. I tried Bosch platinum plugs and they didn't run as well as the NGKs. Given a choice between copper NGK and platinum Champion/Bosch, I would take the NGK.

 

The store clerk did point out something that's quite interesting. When I was choosing between Bosch and Champion, the only two platinum tipped plugs they carry, he said the Bosch is too hot for the Maxima and they will literally burn a hole in the cylinders. I really did not think he knew what he was talking about but didn't want to challenge him on that. I have been using Bosch platinum tipped plugs on other cars I have owned and never had a problem. My brother is using them on his 97SE as well. Since the clerk pratically refused to sell me the Bosch I ended up getting the Champion.

I don't know too much about the NGK's. I know a lot of Japanese high performace motors use them, including Kawasaki motorcycles I own and have owned. The copper core V-Groove seems rather plain except for the v-shaped grooved tip that's supposed to produce two sparks instead of one, I assume.