Help me out guys.

When I start the car up for the 'first' time over night the engine makes a really loud ticking noise. It just developed this yesterday, this morning it happened again. Usually I turn off the car and turn it back on and the sound is gone. Afterwards even after a few hrs. the sound don't appear no more.

Sounds like the timing chain is hitting something but I'm not sure.

I circled where the sound is coming from. Maybe someone can chime in to what parts are located in that area that can cause it.

Its coming from below the circled area.

 

i think the timing noise should be coming from the left side of the engine, correct me if i wrong... still a newbie

 

If it was the timing chain, it would be coming from the passenger's side not the driver's side. What exactly does the ticking sound like? is it constant?
If it's a constant tick, tick, tick, tick it could be the injectors, they are known to be really loud on these engines.
If it's intermitant and more of a knock, ie, knock...........knock...knock.............knock... it could be your car misfiring
I'm not quite sure what else it might be.

Any other problems? does the car hesitate? are you getting a check engine light?

 

Hmm.. the Timing chain is on the passenger side.

The circle you made is in the area of the starter motor which can make a loud noise when starting if the grease in it is old, dried up, and cold.

Have you ever replaced it?

 

Thats most likely the starter making the noise. There is a how to in the stickies.

 

Its just none-stop hard ticking like DOT DOT DOT DOT DOT DOT. But lately these 2 days at start up (warmer) is gone.

Hopefully it was just the cold weather causing the weirdness.

 

ya the starter is below that area you circled. not sure if it is whats making your noise.

if you have any starting problems then it may be.

 

it sounds like injectors. some days they can be very noisy. no one knows why. Just a maxima quirk I guess.