kenny

Now the temperature drops into the low 40s in the morning, I occasionally hear a ratting noise (lasting now a second) when I start the car in the morning. Looking up the problem in the Nissanhelp website, I am now informed that it could be a VTC sprocket problem. What is a VTC sprocket and what does it do? What are the symptoms of a defective sprocket? Will be cause serious problems to the car?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

VTC = valve timing chain
i think its normal during cold starts. as long as it doesnt last very long, it isnt doing any damage

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

if there really is a problem its most likely the chain tensioner

kenny

Thanks soonerfan for the prompt response. Should I just ignore the rattlling noise? My car is almost 3 years old (but only has 15k miles). I wonder if I should even bother taking it to the dealer since this only happens on cold starts and only occasionally.

VQuick

iTrader: (17)

Could also be timing chain, although I think that's more of a rough light grinding noise.

Teufelhunden

iTrader: (8)

ive been getting that sound too lately, i know its been discussed, but its annoying as hell. its not so bad where i want to get rid of it, but it sounds like theres something wrong with it. it only happens in the morning and after the first start, it goes away, but still. they said its a big job to fix this probelm, taking out the engine and other stuff. i dont know if i wanna take mine to the dealer yet. still thinking about it.

ope2k4

iTrader: (4)

I have been getting the same problem. my car doesnt start at once. Its like you have to hold the key while turning it for like 2 seconds or more to start. Could this be the starter?
No because I changed the starter 2 months ago. Could it be cold start? No because 3 of my friends have the same 00 maxima( with around the same mileage ) dont have this problem.

RICEDOUT and KENNY Are your Maximas califonia spec? because I heard this is common in them

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

take it to the dealer... just in case.. but remember temperatures are dropping and it will affect the efficient movement of the oil at startup. Do a quick oil change for Mobil 5W-30 and check it out....

kenny

My car is not california spec. I believe it was shipped to NJ from Japan and then trucked to New York City. I don't have a problem starting the car nor do I ever have to hold the key for more than a second. The only problem is a rattling noise lasting for only a second when I start the engine cold in the morning. Other than that annoying and occasional rattling, the car drives great and performs quite well (for a GLE).

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

ALL 02-03s are CALI spec... it doesn't matter where it was made and where it was bought.

Sorry to dig this thread up, but that was bugging me.

ghostrider17

iTrader: (6)

Mine has exhibited this issue since new, and it does it cold or hot - but only sporadically, and NEVER predictably.

It's not purported to be a major problem short or long-term, and personally, I'd rather let it go then 1) waste time dropping-off my car overnight time-and-again, and haggling with the stealer 2) having them pull the entire top half of the engine to perform the "fix" on this minor issue.
Leave it alone unless it gets very bad/worse, or effects the performance of your car.
gr

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

VTC= valve timing chain?

Good grief................!

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

example of a completely pointless post. what are you trying to say/ask?
"good grief" what?

are you asking if thats what it means? you do have a question mark at the end.

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

Just my way of pointing out that your information is incorrect. Anyone who knows what VTC really stands for would appreciate the humor. Lots of mis-information going on around here.

No offense intended.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

ok the C stands for "control"
the chain is a part of the whole Valve Timing Control system so i may have gotten the acronym wrong but it isnt "mis-information"

still dont understand the "humour" that people are supposed to appreciate

oldngivout

iTrader: (8)

Variable Timing Control

Actually, the term VTC is applied to the 24 valve VE30DE engine in the 92-94 models. The correct term for the system in the VQ35DE is Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control, or CV-VTC.

Let's just move on, OK? Sorry you were offended.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

so i gave mis-information?
please dont ever post again. i got the C wrong (which doesnt change the system that is having problems)
you got the V wrong which completely changes everything.
its VALVE Timing Control

way to make a point and prove me wrong

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

GBAUER

iTrader: (2)

That's what you get for digging up old threads! Just get back to the local forums and make fun of Akidosigh and Gayson.

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

how did i pull up on old thread? i posted 3 minutes after someone else

altdad45

2002 SE with 103k miles

Went out last night to run to the store after car had been sitting for about 2 days. Turn the ignition and it started, but the tapping/banging noise was going on. Turned it off, cranked again and it was still there, even after running a few minutes. Since it is under the sham "MaxCare" warranty of carmax, I have had them tow it and check it out. We will see what the outcome is. I will push this issue to the hilt since I paid out the *** for the warranty...and banging noises from any engine are just plain screwed up. Never had a honda, mazda, or BMW make noises like this, even if it is cold.

JimmyH

iTrader: (2)

I get a "howling" noise during cold starts. Probably when it is less than 40 degrees or so. It definitely is not rattling. I dont know how else to describe it. And just recently it stalls as well for good measure. I have to give it some gas for a couple seconds so it wont stall. After that it idles fine.

zmaxuser

just follow the link..my 2000 max just started that noise in the cold for a sec..

http://www.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/vtc/vtc.html

kcowden

iTrader: (2)

Great link with very informative info from one of our own. Thanks. I get the noise at start up but am not really worried about it...yet.

altdad45

SO I took the car to carmax and had their "tech" look at it. Of course, and as expected, the nosie went away after a few minutes of running. The diagnosis:

Carbon buildup on hydrolic valve lifter

Recommendation for fixing:

Decarbonize (wtf?) the combustion chamber and do a hot oil change (BS term) as well as addiong an oil additive.

So....
I picked it up cause I wasn't going to give them $200 to do this. I went out and bought 2 cans of seafoam and am thinking about doing the vaccuum line intake of seafoan to do their combustion cleaning. And then another can into the tank to get it running through the injectors. Thoughts?

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

^^^
I would recommend AutoRX.

zmaxuser

Did you used Auto RX? and did it work? the rattling sound went away when cold?

thanks

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

No, I have not used it, but it is quite popular at bobistheoilguy.com over seafoam. Some have had problems with seafoam.

My rattling (low rpm) has never completely gone away. The catch-can has taken away about 90% of it. Recently I used some gas additive from lubecontrol.com and the low rpm rattle returned, but now on the after tank of gas it is gone again. I noticed the same thing with Techron.

Skier

iTrader: (1)

Same issue on my 03'. Started just after warrantee ran out (of course). It has 56K on it now and has not gotten any worse or lasted any longer. If a stealership fixes it, just think of all the other things they'll probably F-up in the process. I'm ridin' it out...

zmaxuser

I have been reading a lot about this AUTO-RX on the net...i'm consider using it..looks like a cheap way to take a chance....but i hope i do not do more damage to my engine..

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

I'd be more afraid of the seafoam. Search around on bobistheoilguy.com for both, preference seems to be with Auto-Rx.

altdad45

does anyone have access to TSB information? I found this one but can't find the details on it. Sounds interesting....

2002 Maxima SE
TSB 03-060 JUN 03
Engine - Cold Start Rattling Noise

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

I think that is the one where they change out your timing chain sprocket on driver or passenger depending on where they here the noise. It's not worth having the dealership tear apart half my engine, they are incompetent.

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

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

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Yup, thats it.

Skier

iTrader: (1)

What exactly is AUTO-RX? Is it just an oil addative?

zmaxuser

this is a very detail oriented link...check it out..

http://www.nissanhelp.com/ownership/.../NTB03-060.htm

Puppetmaster

iTrader: (48)

Thanks, but see 4 posts up.

That's definitely a good site though... another bookmark for me....

Grey00lustre

iTrader: (15)

Does this only apply to 02-03 max? My 00 Se has been making that noise at start up but not always. I only hear that sound when it's very cold outside.

teksurv

Dunno if this helps, but I took my I35 in to the dealer for a vibration/moaning like sound on cold startups only. It would last a minute or two then go away. As it turns out, it was a motor mount. I had it replaced last week under warranty, and the noise is gone. Bby other descriptions, I thought it was the tensioner issue I've read about, guess not.

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

I've got an 03 Max and have been experiencing the rattling noise on start for a little while now. Like most of you guys, it usually happens on a cold start and doesnt' happen every time. Glad to know theres a TSB out there. Does anyone know how much this would cost to get fixed by the dealers or a service shop. Also, is the rattling causing any damage? Or is it ok to ignore the sound if its not going to cause/causing any problems.

Thanks