I had an alarming experience this evening with my 2K2 GLE and I want to see if anybody else has experienced this. My car sat for four days without running. I went to start it this evening and I heard a clacking sounc coming from the engine bay. It reminded me of the sound an engine makes when it has just been completely drained of oil for an oil change, refilled, and then started. I've never had this happen with an engine just because it sat for several days. This motor has less than 7K on it. I was in an enclosed area which might have amplified the sound, but I've never had this happen with my other cars. Has anybody else had this happen? I swear I heard some ticking after the clacking stopped. The ticking seems to be gone now. I think I might take it to the dealer just to have this documented. Similar experiences out there?

 

I use to get this with my 95 Max, but not with my 2000 I30 yet.

 

actually, yes... several 2k2-ers have had this. Dont be alarmed. Its actually the timing chain.

The older 3.0 Vq's would do it, but something about the new 3.5 design makes it more susceptable. I would certainly call the dealer and gripe. Noise like that cant be good for the timing chain, but in reality its likely to not be/cause a problem based on what others have found and mentioned here. Nonetheless, I think Nissan should look into a fix for the oiling mechanism for chain.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I suppose I should feel a bit better because of this response. I can't seem to find any other threads on this subject -- I wonder how many people have noticed this after letting their 2K2 Max sit for several days.....

I'm still keeping my ears open!

 

its been mentioned several times. I'm not sure what the keywords would be for a seach.. probably 'clatter'


http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hlight=clatter

 

Hey, had the same thing happen to me at about 600 miles. Here's a link to a discussion on freshalloy after I posted there (I'm knot240 over there).

I've got over 6,000 miles now with no recurrence. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

 

Yeah, my 2001 se 5spd did that once to me after it sat for a week. Took a second for oil pressure to come up and it was fine.

 

Yup, me too...this has happened twice only in 2 years, and it is usually after prolonged sitting...more than 2 or 3 days. The weird thing is that it doesnt do it every time I let her sit for a few days tho

When she sits overnight only it never does it.

 

I used to have it happen in my 4th gen I-30, but not yet in my 5th gen 2002. It seemed to happen when I got cheap and used a regular 20w-50 oil, but whenever I had synthetic oil in it, including now, it hasn't re-occured.

 

Exactly.....I switched to Mobil 1 synthetic at 15000 miles and haven't had a problem since.

 

It happened to me right after I changed my oil. I dont think its anything to be worried about. Like u said I heard the clicking noise the oil light went on for 1 sec and then it was OK.

 

I only use tri-synthetic oil and it happened to me right after I changed my oil, so I guess the synthetic has nothing to do with it.

 

I notice too on my 2002
I also had the same problem on my 2000 SE

 

I've encountered the same thing after letting the car sit right after a long trip. Has anyone encountered any lifter problems at cold startup? I get a ticking noise every now and then that goes away after a couple of min. I've never raced the engine when cold.

 

chain tensioner is oil driven. perhaps it has more to do with what filter you are using and if it has a check valve (or if the check valve is working). once you have oil pressure and the chain gets re-oiled, the sound will cease.

Syn could possibly affect your oil pressure, but weight would have more of an effect.

 

Same observation. I have noticed engine clatter upon startup for a few seconds after my max sat for about three days. I only noticed it once. That's the only time my max sat still for that long. 2002 SE - 3000 miles

 

TimW,
Great thinking man. I totally forgot to mention that I talked to some dealerships about that one - I was using the Mobil 1 filter w/ 5w30. I switched over to the Nissan filter after talking to some of the service guys. Evidently the Nissan filters do have a check valve that actually holds some oil in the engine, not just in the filter. Changing the filter seemed to help, but I still get it every now and then.

 

So is it that bad to let you car sit for a couple of days without starting it. My car sits in the garage from 3-5 days without getting started all the time since I use a company car for work. I only get that clatter noise right after I change my oil. I always almost get an oil light that flashes a couple times at start-up though. Is that normal?

 

The engine clatter noise occurred in my car before the first oil change with the original oil filter from the factory. The filter was replaced by Nissan dealer with Nissan OEM filter 15208-9E000.

 

I complained to California and they extended my drivetrain warranty.

 

Mine is like a squealing type noise. Happens after a few days of sitting and especially when its cold in the morning.

Im taking my car Monday to get the friggin guage cluster replaced because of that stupid faintly lit "check engine" light being on.

Is there anything I suggest they do to get rid of this noise or should I just leave well enough alone???

 

Sounds more like a belt slipping. Dunno how many miles you have, but even a new belt could sound like this if it isn't properly tensioned. Ask the dealer to check.

 

THanks, I was kinda thinking that. I have a 92 Nissan pickup that makes a much uglier squeal and I KNOW thats the problem with that, I get it tightened every time I have it in for service.

My 2k2 has about 6500 miles on it, I'll ask them to investigate...