This is a 2003 Maxima Gle with 49k miles. I first thought that it was my wheel bearing but i dont think so anymore.

The problem is that when im cruising in speeds of 20mph and higher i can hear a noise coming from the front left side, but the noise only occurs when i press on the gas. When i let off the gas the noise goes away. The noise happens 50% of the time i drive. I took off my front left wheel and nothing looks wrong. I called the dealer and he said it can be something with my engine. I dont have any mods except for a FSTB. The noise sounds like its coming somewhere around the engine but on the left side.

The noise is not a whinning noise but more of a low grinding type. Does anyone have any similair problems or might know what this might be. Thanks.

 

I forgot to mention that when i open the window and try to listen for the noise i cant hear anything, but when i close the window i can hear it coming from around the hood around my stock air box.

 

Does anyone have a clue, dealerships want to charge over 160 to diagnose what the problem is.

 

hmm

so far, id say prolly 2 possibilities:

1. more likely: tranny problem. most auto's only engage when you press down on the pedal and just cruise when youre not on the gas (think about bicycle pedals...when you pedal, the tire spins, but when you dont, the tire just keeps spinning)

Manual tranny's on the other hand are completely engaged either way, so when you let up on the gas pedal, the car slows down.

if your car is an auto, your problem is prolly a tranny problem.

2. try checkin out the entire intake system...somethin might be stuck in there (like part of a grocery bag or somethin?????) so when you go relatively fast and more air gets through, whatever is in there gets a lot of wind resistance and makes that noise??

but can you be a bit mo specific on the noise and the car n other junk?

 

Thanks for the input, any idea why the dealer seems to think its something to do with the engine?

 

hmmmm....

prolly cause if it is an "engine problem" they stand to make more $$$$ ???

the fact is, the engine is most likely the strongest part of the maxima or any car for that matter. it really is truly hard to do any major damage to an engine aside from wrecking or over-revving (which is nearly impossible nowadays with rev-limiters)

on the other hand, anything with moving parts or anythign exposed to elements always has a good chance of mechanical problems -- intakes and tranny's for example.

By the way, i just tought of this, and i would also check out all my belts if i were you...when i typed the words 'moving parts' it made me think, and belts are also frequently misaligned or obstructed somehow, which can cause low frequency or grinding noises...

 

Eventhough its not the wheel bearing i have a huntch that its not my engine but something with the left wheel. When i was driving today i didnt hear anything when going straight, then i turned the wheel alittle to the left and i started to hear the noise. I dont think its a big problem its just really annoying.

 

I hope you are using premium fuel, cause it sounds like you are talking about a pinging noise.

 

ive never used anything but 93 in this car. I use mobil 1 fully synthetic motor oil and mobil 1 oil filter. I get my gas from only mobil, exxon, or aamco.