EH STEVE!!

iTrader: (1)

Was wondering if you guys can help me diagnose a problem I just started having with the car.

03 Maxima 6MT (non-HLSD)

When accelerating under very very light load, I hear a clicking/rattling sound. When the car is in neutral and my foot is off the clutch everything is fine. If I rev the motor while going down the road or standing still the noise is not there. I hear the clicking/rattling sound in every gear, but when you give the car gas or a heavier load the sound goes away. The transmission still shifts smoothly into every gear.

I just got back from CV Specialists, took the guy for a ride so he could hear it and said it's not an axle issue but looked at a few things under the car anyways. It's not the throwout bearing either.

The car has 81K miles and the transmission fuild and clutch have yet to be changed (clutch still good).

Does anyone have any idea what could possibly be wrong? Also, should I have Nissan look at it or should I take it to Aamco

If it's nothing too major I don't mind fixing it myself but since I have not clue what is wrong, I really don't know where to begin.


Thanks
Steve

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

its the timing chain hitting the cover. a lot of us have the problem.

two causes -
low oil (the tensioner need oil pressure to work and keep the chain tight)
tensioner itself is bad

ive been having the problem and nissan has confirmed that i'm losing about a 1.5 qt of oil ever 1,000 miles. dropping it off next week for them to remove the valve covers and figure out the problem.

EH STEVE!!

iTrader: (1)

Timing chain hitting the cover??? Are you pulling my leg??

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

umm about what?
that the timing chain can hit the cover?
or that that is your problem?

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....g+chain+rattle

EH STEVE!!

iTrader: (1)

Hmm, did a search and that topic never came up... probably because I was thinking it was the tranny...


I'll read that thread and see if I can pin point the problem...

Thanks!

9DTALON

iTrader: (1)

Very likely. Heavy acceleration would = more tension on the chain + higher oil pressure. And yes they can hit the timing cover. I've seen chains eat right through covers here at the dealership. Don't worry though it wasn't on a Max.

EH STEVE!!

iTrader: (1)

Well, just heard back from the dealer. Between the time they changed the oil and yesterday it was around 1200 mile in which the car burned through 3qts of oil. The dealer that I took the car to yesterday changed what ever was left and put a fresh filter and filled her up with oil. I took the car to the dealer on my lunch break today, the car only has about 40-50 miles since yesterday and the oil was black and very thick.

I have 80K on the car and now they want me to do an oil consumption test and bring it back in 1000 miles. I don't understand this, I have never had a problem with this car and I alway keep up with the regular maintance. I don't know why this is happening all of a sudden. They also said there is no charge so as of yet.

I did however have the front precat replaced at 79600 miles. I have a funny feeling this all might be releated.

I'm going to search to see what I can find out about this oil issue on this site.