whenever i start the ride lately, it sounds like metal is hittin metal a bit. It starts just fine, but it sounds a bit harsh. Any ideas?

 

i have the exact same problem. hopefully theres a fix to it and somebody heres knows.

 

Are you experiencing something like a knock when starting?

 

My 2003 does the same thing. But only on cold starts, like after the engine has sat over night or for a few hours.

 

its most likely the starter, it will prob last for a while until it eventually craps out...if its a grindin type noise when you first start it it def is

 

it's just like something clanks against something else. It's not havin any trouble turning or anything like that.

 

my 02 does the same thing.

 

mines been doing it for about a year and a half.

 

mine has done it since i got mine about 2 months ago. i think its a common problem nissan doesnt want to resolve

 

For all the VQ35 people, it's the VTC sprockets that you hear rattling at cold starts...there's a TSB out for it....for the VQ30's I don't have a clue, because I don't think that applied to the 3.0

EDIT: here's the TSB: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB03-060.htm

 

I have the same problem and had it for a while... it sounds like a dry start like when changing the oil and starting the car for the first time...