NJYTHRD

2003 SE Maxima

There has been a Thread or two on here before about this. I couldn’t find it, so if anyone could direct me to it I would appreciate it….. Or just start it over again.

As many of you have had this problem…. There is a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment towards the rear of the motor, underneath the motor during acceleration at low speeds and highway speeds. Just a slight touch of the gas pedal will cause this. Sounds like a heat shield or something lose to make this noise.

As the dealership says, "Just use higher Octane Gas and that should stop the problem," because after hooking up to there computer there are no error codes.

Thanks All

sublime258

iTrader: (9)

Sounds to me like it could be a rear motor mount, based on your description.

Oh and by the way...for your sig:
is'nt = isn't

mmg23max

do you hear the noise also when you put the car in gear

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Check your heat shields.

NJYTHRD

No, its just during acceleration. Not pressing on the accelerator hard.

mmg23max

oh ok,jack the car up and support it with a jack stand and take a look at the rear mount

SoonerFan

iTrader: (5)

check the oil level

skidz88

iTrader: (1)

Pretty sure it's pinging.

NJYTHRD

skidz88 said it right. I used the wrong word - (rattling) It's a pinging noise.

skidz88

iTrader: (1)

For some reason your car is running lean and causing the engine to knock. Some say to try one step colder plugs, or change fuel filter, or that you could have an air leak somewhere.

papasuede

I had the same problem and I cleaned the MAF and it went away.

DaBoxSE

iTrader: (5)

Could possibly be the rear pre-cat going bad.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

common causes of this kind of noise:

1. engine knocking/pinging - run a tank of super unleaded and see if it goes away
2. precats or main cat going bad - not all that common
3. heat shield on precats or cat loose, rusted, and/or contacting frame/body/exhaust. This is EXTREMELY common on 5th gens. Start here.

hi-tek22

iTrader: (4)

do you have a sound clip

i know my car was rattling on startup and the moment i put it in drive, it would get slightly louder and then go away as the car continued to warm up and the RPM's dropped..........oh well it ended up being a heat shield

NJYTHRD

Thanks everybody. This gives me a little ammo to toss at my mech to have him look at a couple of these things.

321VQ35MAX

iTrader: (6)

My 03 6Mt had that problem and the Nissan dealer replaced 1 of my cat converters.