I am getting ready to take my 02 to the dealer for a cold start noise. The noise is similar to starting a cold engine after an oil change when there is little or no oil in the system. You get that "rattle" for a split second or two. I currently have a Nissan filter installed (since I knew that was the first thing the dealer would tell me to do and then come back). Again, it sounds like running a cheap oil filter that allows the oil to drain back. I suspect it may be in the timing chain and not the bottom end.

Has anyone got any info on this. I have heard that there may be a TSB on the timing chain tensioner(s) allowing the chain to loosen while sitting for a couple of hours. Then when the engine is started you get a "rattle" from the chain for that split second before the tensioner gets oil pressure. Any info would be much appreciated. I'm just getting to the dealer to get the complaint on the books.

It is baffling since the car has been maintained perfectly and always run 5/30 oil. It is definitely not a normal noise. I've compared it to 3 or 4 other 02s.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have the same problem. When I took it in, the service rep didn't seem to care. Keep us updated, I'd be curious to see if you get the dealer to fix it and to see what it actually is.

 

yes it is a TSB. it's 1 of 2 areas. the problem is that there is no way to diagnose which one it is other than letting the car sit for 6 hours then turning it on. this requires the dealership to have the car overnite, and that's if they stand in front and figure out which one it is.

is it a serious problem. last i heard, it wasnt' a big issue. just a noise you can choose to solve if you're ever in the mood. i personally can't have the dealer hold my car for 2 days, let alone i wouldn't trust them for more than a few hours.

 

I get that rattle on start up and on shut down for a split second....I cannot locate for the life of me where it comes from.

 

My dealer sometimes offers complimentary rentals.

Also, before I sign the paper that they have my car, I go over all of my mods and have them sign off that everything is there and that i EXPECT it to still be there when I pick it up.

That way, I have nothing to worry about.

 

Do you know what the TSBs are? or where to find them. What are the 2 areas you are referring to?? I have it set up to leave overnight, I will be there when they crank it and then I will take the car after they diagnose or lack thereof. I just want it on the books that I heard it and was concerned. You may be correct that it is nothing to worry about, but when I have 180k on this thing down the road, this may come back to haunt me.

 

http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB03-060.pdf

 

My girlfriend has the same problem. I brought the car to the dealership 2 times in the last month for varoius things and we told them about the rattle, and both times when we pick the car back up the guy says they couldn't hear anything. I told them about the TSB and yeah, they didn't care. Good luck getting anything done, I'd be interested in seeing how it worked out.

 

Have the same problem. Having the dealer look at it next tuesday. Will post their response.

 

According to the 2k2 Nissan service manual, a "rattle" noise before warm-up and while driving is sometimes related to camshaft bearing noise. It's closely related when idling and after warm-up. It is related to camshaft bearing noise when racing the engine. The items to check are camshaft journal clearance and camshaft runout. Those tests involve dismantling the engine and taking measurements.

 

If it is the same noise as starting after an oil change, that sounds like a hydraulic lifter that has bled down. Any car will do this if it sits long enough and if that is it, it is quite normal.
I get the noise that you describe, when i change oil and when it has sat for say 3 or more days. My 01 with 85k did it about at the 24hr mark.

 

I get that rattle all the time after it has been sitting for 30mins on my 03'. At my first oil change i told the dealer about it..they let it sit for 6hrs. then started it and told me they heard nothing. I went to pick it up after work and the car had been sitting for like 2hrs after they tested it and told the guy to come with me. I turned the car on and the rattle noise happened. The service guy heard it and told me it needs to stay on longer or happen more often for them to do anything about it. this is a brand new car and this is happening im so MAD!!! If anyone else finds out what i can do please let me know b/c i also dont want this cause bigger problems in the long run.

aslo The TSB is for 2002 was wondering if it applies for 2003 too? b/c i want to show it to the dealer next time i go.

 

Sounds like you canalmost rule out the lifter unless one has bad seal or something. My Sunday paper just listed recall, Nissan, 2001-2003, many models including the max, causes starting problems. Wish I could tell you more.

 

Try to find an old gear head in your circle, sombodys dad, whomever.
Have em listen if it sounds like lifter or preignition (knock) and we will go from there.

 

Did you guys see the link above from PoLo. Speculating is no longer necessary. It seems as though it is the Valve Timing Control Sprocket and the TSB can be found....


http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB03-060.pdf

Thank PoLo for the help.

 

Not sure it's the same issue, but on my 2k when it's cold and I start it just as it hits the 2k RPM mark, as the car always does when you first start it and it spikes the RPM, I hear a grinding sound similar to what you hear if you try and start a car that's already started.

I've heard this can either be the starter motor (there is a fix mentioned on www.motorvate.ca), or the timing chain rattle. If it's the starter I may try and fix that myself this year, but if it's the timing chain tensioner (BTW I use 5w-30 synthetic and a nsisan oil filter) I've heard that this is nothing to worry about. Hopefully that is the case. Interestingly the service guy at nissan had never heard of my problem at all, and it only happens when the thing is really cold and even then doesn't always happen.

 

again, no more guessing
it's the tsb. simple as that. let the car rest, turn it on, you hear a slight rattle for like a split second, and then it stops and continues to warm up like normal, then it's a control sprocket.

and seriously, i woulnt' believe service techs if they "never heard of it". NONE of them know that they can same so much money by simply replacing the MAF sensor rather than the whole MAF, but that's why we know what we know. to take care of it. you should never go to the dealership unless you have the information yourself. they say they don't know this problem, you take out a copy of the tsb. they deny it, throw a fit. that's like going to a store and having them deny their own receipt. that's just stupid. it's a nissan tsb. they can't deny it. that's exactly what it does.

and the rattle does NOT happen all the time. it's a loose sprocket. not a broken one. so it can happen and it cannot happen. luck of the draw.

 

OK, just got the call from the local Nissan service..... "heard the noise, tech says it's normal". Then they had the gaul to tell me that I need to rotate my tires. Can you believe that crap!!! I told them not to move the car, don't even wash it.

I did talk to a very good friend of mine that is the Service Manager at a large Nissan dealer in NC. He is one of those guys that you can describe a problem over the phone and he knows right away what you are talking about. He has seen so many vehicles, he notices trends. He did verify that this noise is present in most 3.5s, some more noticable than others. I guess that's how they determine which ones they fix. He owns a new 350Z and it makes the same noise. I guess I'll just let it ride. I may take it in a couple more times before the warranty expires just for the h_ll of it.

 

Welcome aboard SC02, I am originally from Sumter (Ya'll know where that is?).

The rattle is "normal" I have had it on my car for as long as I have owned it. Some days it is more severe than others and sometimes it doesn't happen at all. I have heard of the TSB or a Recall on the way.

 

Mine does the same thing as pretty much all the 02-03's that I know of. BTW it was cool meeting you at the Underground Shop. Let me know when you will be in the area again

 

I have not noticed that on my 02 yet.

 

i also get this 1/2 second rattle. did it just a couple hours ago. no idea what it is, but it only comes on a cold start. car runs mint 99.99% of the time too. no problems ever.

 

Its the timing chain rattling upon start up. Its not really an issue mine has done it since day one and my car runs perfect to this day.

 

My car did something last week that it has not done before.

The chain rattle was extreme! It sounded like the timing chain was the only thing running in the engine....then a few puffs of smoke came out the tailpipes. The rattle lasted for about 3-5 seconds and smoke came out the end immediately.

I remember the threads on the rattle, but I do not recall anyone having smoke roll out afterwards?

It has not done it since and the weather is much cooler now??

Anyone else have smoke during or after the rattle?

 

Timing chain makes sense. shouldnt rattle, but i guess maybe it does anyways. Also, could it be the starter motor disengaging? Mine rattled again a couple hours ago and it was right when the motor started and i let off the starter. oh well, doesnt affect performance or anything. car runs great