So I've been hearing a rattling type noise from my car for like the past few months. It only happens between 1.5k-3k RPMs. So i go pick up my little brothers s13 convertible and he decides to drive my car since his car has no a/c. While driving next to him i realized that the noise is much louder than i originally thought. It sounds sorta like a valve chatter. Now ive done plenty of reading on the forums and dont think i have found the cause for my problem. It doesnt do the noise if there isnt any load so i cant just accelerate while in park and hear it. And seem to respond differently every day. Its either quick and has some spunk or it feels flat. Also the car has 160k and the car has been in the family since roughly 90k. Any thoughts? Pre-cats? Timing chain? Valves? replace motor?

 

i had this problem on my 02 cl500 a few years ago. the cat needed to be replaced!

 

fairly common problem for the 5.5 gen. For me, it seems like an oil burning issue... when I hear the rattle I add some oil and it goes away. Usually happens around the 3k mile mark since last oil change.

 

I'd say oil, or precats if they've never been changed. 160 seems like they've had a good life. Pre-cats are also a common problem with our cars.

 

Do you have any mods done to the car? How bad is your start up rattle? Have you checked your oil level? Is this under load only or does it happen when you are coasting?

 

Oil was changed not to long ago and the level is fine. It only rattles if the car sits for like a few days on startup. Only Mod i have at the moment is the block off plate and its been doing it way before i put the plate on. The noise only happens when im at maybe 20% load between 1.5k-2.5k. Would the cats also explain the sporadic loss of power? And somewhat crappy gas mileage reading at about 19.5mpg on the cluster. And the pre-cats have never been changed. Now should i spend 500-600 on new precats or save an extra few hundreds and order some cattman headers?

 

i have a rattle between 2-3k, but its coming from timing chain/sprockets, car was abused by previous owner has only 43K

 

These engines like to knock even if you're running 91 or 94 octane in that rpm range, especially in humid weather. If the car runs fine at other times, just let it be. Not ideal, but most likely everything else is okay.

 

Got the same problem at low speeds but when I step on it goes away but crusing and push on the gas a little you hear it mainly like 20 to 50mph!! But dont know where its coming from?

 

Had smiliar noise and Nissan replaced my cats under warranty and noise was fixed..

 

yup...its the timicg chain hitting the cover due to low oil levels...welcome to the "3.5 oil consumption" club

 

So what i am getting is that its either the pre-cats or the chain hitting the timing cover due to low oil. If it were oil would an additive like Lucas help? Also where is the cheapest place to order some pre-cats?

 

im 99% sure its low oil...keep an eye on the level for the next couple weeks...when it starts making the noise, put some oil in and see if it stops...for more information do a search for "oil consumption"...there are lots of threads including one i started thats around 10 pages long that discusses everything in detail.

an additive will not help...its bad rings...i tried everything and it didnt help

 

Had the same issue.... Added oil mentioned above and the noise faded away. I have read that 5.5 Gen Maximas do indeed burn up oil in some thread here! It might be an easy fix like ours!!!!???!!!???

 

not a big fan of Lucas i dont find that it helps. what oil and weight do you use? a lot of us live by amsoil products

 

well i've tested every single type of oil you can imagine. I was using Royal Purple 1040. found that i didnt see any difference except the price. I'm currently using Mobile 1 1040

 

So, low oil, through blowby past the rings, changes the path of the timing chain so it hits the cover?

He's already stated the oil level is good.

 

Yes, I have this particular issue also, it only happens when i let off the gas, when under load it does not make the noise, say i rev to 3k in neutral, as rpms drop the rattle occurs. My oil level is not low either. Running 5qts of Eneos 5w-40. I'm hoping its the precats or catalitic converter! Noise can also be heard when in 1st gear engine braking(basically same as revving and letting rpms drop)

 

i had a similar rattle n could not figure it out till i bought a catback system and went to remove the old exahaust i was surprised that my muffler was not even connected to the car the pipes were all in tact from a quick glance but where the pipe loops over the back cross bar n connects, onto the rest of the exahaust was rusted out n was just looming over the conncetion spot. it was a simple replace once all disconnected.

hope this helps.

 

Double check the oil level. This sounds like the common low oil/timing chain issue.

 

timing chain tensioners use oil pressure to work...when the oil is low, there is less tension on the chain...so it hits the cover

all discussed in depth in my 10 page thread

 

i think the low oil explanation is right on the money...i just purchased my 5.5 gen and right away i noticed the rattling in that rpm range..did an oil change over the weekend and the rattling stopped after about 2 blocks from the mechanic

 

in case people are too lazy to search

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ealership.html