Yesterday, when I put the 02 Max in the garage, it had 36004 miles.

Naturally, this morning when I started it, there was a horrible rattle, which I'd call valve rattle, being a computer programmer, not a Nissan mechanic.

I'm guessing this is the symptom discussed in the TSB, and would be very grateful if someone with search access could point me to the TSB in question (I think it may be 02-03060)

 

Could be just the timing chain winding up...

 

I have the same problem....its the VTC sprocket or something.....I read it was a TSB awhile back.....I bet its very expensive to replace since you have to take apart the timing chain n yeah......Does anybody know if its safe to run it like this for awhile?

 

If it was the timing chain, why would it have suddenly (ie. overnight) start doing this?

No oil loss, just sitting overnight in the garage. Mild temperatures (I think the overnight low was in the low 50s, and the garage is slightly warmer.

I've had the VTC sprocket recall done, IIRC (will have to check my records)

 

No TSB on this? My admittedly old geezer memory seems to want to think there is.

At least it wasn't as bad this morning. Just a second or so. Monday it lasted for nearly a minute (seemed like an eternity.)

 

Dealer told me it was normal for the VQ...Mine does it but only for a brief second. If it does it longer than that it needs to be looked at and fixed.

I did not get it done because I don't really want the fools in my engine. It is an awful noise...I used to have a copy of the TSB..I will have to look it up

 

NTB03-060 All Rattle Noise During Cold Start - it's not normal.

My car is at the dealer right now having a VTC sproket replaced right now.

 

SkyDaver: What do you mean by rattle? Does the car shake in a cold start / there is a screeching sound coming from the engine!!! If it is the later I am dead sure it is the starter motor, I just did a starter job and the screeching sound has disappeared.

 

It was a clatter from near the top of the engine. I'm moderately sure it wasn't anything to do with the starter.

Since Monday, it hasn't lasted long enough to get out of the car.

I'll be calling the dealer about the TSB tomorrow

 

The consensus around here is that although embarrasing, it may not cause any damage, after the fix you may still have some noise and the fix requires such an amount of engine dismantling that it may not be worth the risk.

 

I'm on my second max (1990 and 2002) and they both did/do it. Only when it's been cold overnight. Usually just happens for about 3 seconds, but once it lasted up towards about 20 seconds. sucks.

 

Mine just did this to me on Sunday morning, the rattling lasted @ 30 seconds. I blamed it on the minimal start-up on Saturday where all I did with it was start it and back out of the garage and then later pulled it back in the garage. The clatter sounded awful!!!