I have 2 issues with my beloved maxima.

1 - Rattling noise during cold starts that lasts only about a second. I have searched the forums thoroughly.
I know there is a TSB for it, TSB NTB03-060. According to the TSB, its a VTC sprocket (dont know much about it) issue.
I also read somewhere thats its not a huge issue but more of a nuisance. But my car is covered under extended warranty and i wouldnt want this thing to fail on me
in a year or so after my warranty expires. The TSB applies to 2002 maxima, mine is 2003 but this rattling noise comes on everytime when i start the car in the morning. Its cold these days in dallas.
Has anyone of you had this fixed under warranty and with the TSB.

here is the link to the TSB: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB03-060.htm

2. The 2nd issue is also a rattling issue but when the car is in 2nd or 3rd gear during city driving. Like if i am going at 30mph and press on the pedal a little, i hear faint rattling noise coming from the engine compartment. I think this has been reported before but i didnt get a definite answer. Some folks suggested engine knocking from using a low quality fuel and some blamed bad ignition coils.
I use Shell V power gas all the time. do u guys think its the bad gas or bad ignition coils. also, how loud should this noise be because its quite faint and my brother called me crazy. I can hear it and its bugging me. My brother told me to ignore it reminding me that its a old car now. what do u guys suggest.

here is a link to the old post i found : http://forums.maxima.org/archive/ind.../t-264979.html


CAR DETAILS: 2003 Maxima
Miles: 46K
covered under nissan's extended warranty.


would love to hear ur input

Thanks
Faisal

 

57 viewers, no takers??? :-(

 

sounds to me like a chain tensioner for the second rattle you mentioned.

The first rattle might also be due to the chain tensioner. Also, what oil do you use?
Sometimes when you use the oil that is not suitable for very cold climates, the oil becomes very thick and therefore upon start up, the engine is running dry for a brief moment hence the rattle on knocking sound. I would also recomend filling up with primium and see if that changes anything so you can maybe rule out the knocking due to low octane. Do you have CEL on? any goast codes like knock sensor?

 

get better oil. I used crappy dealer oil once, the engine made a lot of noises. then I switched to better oil, all the noises went down a lot.

 

ok. first of all. thanks for your input.

the first problem is from the VTC sprocket. I am sure because thats what the TSB is about. The car does that in cold temp and when the car has been sitting over night.

the 2nd one could the from the chain tensioners. but like i said, it doesnt come always and its very subtle. i have to listen closely to notice it.

as far as gas and oil goes.

i always put SHELL V Power which is the PREMIUM grade and for oil, i use CASTROL SYNTEC 5W30.

so good oil and gas.


i will keep an open ear for both these noises i guess. if they become more prominent, then i guess i will have to have it checked out.

thanks for the input again.

 

Does it mean $1500 repair in stealership?

 

when there is a TSB, doesnt it mean that they are supposed to fix it at their cost?

 

*If* it does have something to do with your tensioners, you may want to get it checked out. The last thing you want is for the chain to jump or something and really cause you problems. How many miles do you have on your Max?

 

Nope

 

Neither of those noises indicate any major problems...

 

I'm new here... so can I assume that you are being sarcastic, or are you serious?

If you are serious, how do you figure none of them indicate anything major? What do they indicate then?

 

the cold startup rattle hasnt been coming lately as its not that cold here in dallas now.

the 2nd rattle, like i said before is very faint and not consistent. i will fill my tank from a different gas station now. i always go to the same gas station and its possible his premium gas not really be premium.

if that noise becomes consistent, i am going to the dealership.

the car has 46k miles on it and its under warranty, so the stealership better fix it.

 

i have a 2002 se and i have that same rattle at start-up. I live in Ga and i noticed that it happens when climates are cooler. This info has been helpful and i will have the VSC checked.