This clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVMUKilwk98
shows my engine in idle, listen closely you can hear what sounds like a unhealthy bearing noise thats separate from the normal loud injector ticking, coming from the timing chain side of the engine.

Notice at the end of the clip when i move the camera towards to middle of the engine, the noise quietens. In person, its quite allot more audible.

Anyone have a similar sound on their car? Or have any opinions on what it might be? I hope it isnt anything thats going to cost a heap to fix

 

turn it around and kiss its *** goodbye

j/k - it almost sounds like a diesel on my computer. Could very well be. Throw some Lucas oil treatment in and see if it makes a difference. Does the sound get progressively worse with higher rpm's/? Does the sound get "faster"?

 

Hmm not that i've really noticed, when revving it at idle, the increased rpm sort of drowns out the bearing noise. Ill give it a try though and see what i can hear. About it sounding like a diesel, i always though that was a bit of a loose timing chain, i might need to replace the tensioner.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

Is your car 5speed? Sounds like transmission differential bearings to me

 

Nope its an auto.

 

I wouldn't panic just yet. It could just be your AC/Alternator belt tensioner pulley or your timing chain tensioner. Isolate your belts and go from there.

 

Hmm..... im not really that mechanically inclined to accuratly isolate it myself. I guess the best thing to do for me would be to take it to a mechanic and get it checked out?

 

try to take another video from underneath the car with the plastic under-tray removed. also, put your ear to the handle of a screwdriver and probe around the oil pan and block. you should be able to isolate it. to me it does indeed sound like a bearing, but the audio is a bit muffled.

 

usually the a/c tensioner make a whining noise when bad another symptom is burnt rubber smell fom belt also lights flickering as alternator not working at 100% capacity

 

I dont think i get a burnt rubber smell, and my lights seem fine.

 

Seems my '99 maxima (auto trans) is making the same sound... anyone come up with what that noise is?

 

99% sure that's timing chain rattle. Bearing noise is more of a knocking sound than rattling like that. Replace the tensioner and you should be good to go.