It started 2 days ago when I started the engine.
I can hear some awful noise coming from user the hood but can't say exactly from where.
It may be coming from the front of the passenger side, where there is that belt but I'm not 100% sure.
The noise seems to follow the engine revs, never heard something like this before. It's not the engine mounts, I know how that one is.
I can hear it all the time while the engine is turned on and as I was saying above, when reving up the engine, the noise follows.
No CEL/SES light, I'm not a harsh driver, always did regular maintenance.
It's a 2000 Max, 135k km (~80k miles).

I have recorded the noise, I listened to the sound clip a few times, it almost doesn't sound like a Maxima engine.

Anyone has experienced something like this?
Do you have any idea what makes this sound?

Please help!


[code]

Easy-share.com:
http://www.easy-share.com/1913215378/engine_noise.mp3

Depositfiles.com:
http://depositfiles.com/files/hafwgc0fs

Badongo.com:
http://www.badongo.com/file/24774666

Rapidshare
http://rapidshare.com/files/435373434/engine_noise.mp3

http://www.turbobit.net/9swbxdmaza3k.html

 

How about upload the video to YouTube? People might be more willing to watch it if they don't have to download it off of a torrent.

 

It's very difficult to tell from that sound clip, but it sounds as though it could be either a very bad belt, or even a defective alternator. I have heard alternators make very similar sounds when they are on their way out. How is the condition/tension of your belts? If those two are both ok, I would run down to autozone and have them test your alternator, and make sure there aren't any pending engine codes. Goodluck.

 

It started suddenly, no whatsoever signs before.
Since the day before yesterday I drove my car only on very short distances.
I used the heating 2 times (right now it's a snow storm here) and I think there is a strange smell getting inside. Not of melted plastic, hot oil, fumes, etc but something else.
As far as I could see the belt was ok (are there more that I should check).
There can be codes pending?

Sorry about youtube upload, it was really dark and blowing snow when I did the recording. I keep my car in a winter shelter, on the driveway.

 

You were so right.
Went to the dealer and got the car checked this morning.
They said the alternator and a belt needs to be changed and they made an estimation to ~600CAD

Is that right? It's not even a Nissan alternator they'll use (the quote for that one was 495CAD+ tax) but some other brand for 300CAD + tax.

 

dealer prices on alternators is terrible but most of the time it's better than a rebuild from somewhere else. Mine went bad and I took if off so a local shop I do business with could build it for me. Cost me $100 plus the time to R&R it myself. And yes, you CAN get the alternator off of a 3.5 without disecting the front of the motor!!

 

Got the car back and I'm 535CAD "lighter"
I'm wondering about something... on my invoice it's written the belt was damaged and after doing tests they found out the alternator was not charging the battery anymore.
Wouldn't something like this make the SES/CEL light turn on?
I drove the car for a few days, in winter, with lights/heating/defrosting on.
Was maybe only the belt defective?