The car is basically bone stock with the exception of this muffler delete and a few holes drilled in my intake. Only set me back $50!


Embed isn't working http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JH8I...ature=youtu.be

On a side note, I have this annoying ratting sound that I tried to get a video of but couldn't. For clarity's sake, it has NOTHING to do with the muffler delete. It's been doing it as long as I can remember. It happens when I accelerate gently, usually uphill, and usually below 2k rpms. It sounds literally like I have a rattlesnake under my hood. As soon as I lift off the gas, it stops. Happened on my 99 Maxima and it didn't bother me but now my '02 is doing it and I can't have that! Help please! Thank you.

 

Couple things come to mind. What kind of gas you use? It might be pinging. Did you check the heat shield on the y-pipe? Does the car sound really cool when you put the pedal to the floor at 2k rpms?

 

I use regular, I don't think it's pinging though... It sounds like it could be the heat shield, I'll have to look at that. The car does sound super cool actually lol. I love that VQ terminator sound.

 

Actually, my car sounds exactly like this...

So I guess my engine is pinging. Should I try mid or premium before I go to an all out diagnosis?

 

 

Take a vid of your car. It be more accurate.

 

Would pinging only happen between a certain rpm range? For example between 1750-2100 while accelerating? My car has made a similar noise as that video but not always and only in the above mentioned rpm range. (Ran on Sunoco ultra always)

 

Could be:
- heat shield
- precat particulate broken inside.
- timing chain

 

I didn't hear any noises unusual in the OP's own TY video. And I couldn't hear anything but an annoying narrator in the second video, so I think we are shooting in the dark at this point.

 

My vote is you are giving it to much gas at a low rpm (because it sounds so cool). You shouldn't be accelerating uphill at less than 2k rpms. Hell, you should not even be at 2k rpms.

Upgrade to premium at least.

Check the heat shields too. That is an easy option to eliminate.

 

It's not my timing chain, I know that much. Will eliminate heat shields tomorrow. I really don't want to switch to premium because it's not required by Nissan, so it's really just a band aid. And I should be able to accelerate at any revs (above idle) at any speed and not hear engine pinging or rattling... Laboring, maybe. I do downshift my car when I'm accelerating, you know. This is maintaining speed. Can anybody refer me to the section in the FSM where pinging is covered? I just scoured it and couldn't find it.

Side note: Skip to :49 in the video you can hear the rattling clear as day.

 

Not sure what all you did with your exhaust besides taking out the muffler, but you may very possibly have a loose heat shield somewhere, or even a loose exhaust pipe at one of the connections.

But since you said it only happens uphill, below 2k RPM, and sounds like a snake in your engine, that very possibly may be pinging. You definitely need to switch to higher octane fuel if it's indeed pinging, and the Maxima does call for premium fuel and has been that way for a long time IIRC.

 

^just to clarify...premium is not officially required. It is recommended for higher performance.

OP, I would switch to premium and check heat shields. Hopefully that fixes everything. Good luck!

 

it says in the hand book to run premium because they run higher than normal compression.


or maybe not, i could have sworn my 01 says it needs 91 but, maybe my memory is hazy.

OP, pining is what happens when you run a lower octane fuel, the compression form the compression stroke ignites the fuel before the piston reaches TDC and or the spark plug fires. TLR the fuel combust/explodes from shear compression alone, before it's supposed to.

 

^^^ You're right, I stand corrected. It is recommended and not required, here is what it says in the manual:

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 96)
If unleaded premium gasoline is not available,
unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Research
octane number 91) can be used.
However, for maximum vehicle performance,
the use of unleaded premium gasoline
is recommended.

Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If severe,
this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condition.
Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.

However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.

All that being said, I would definitely try using some premium gas, if it's happening to you going up hill just like described ^^^ above.

 

 

Why the HELL wouldn't Nissan make this more obvious??? Wow looks like I'll be pumping premium from now on! Glad I just filled up three days ago... If that doesn't work, I guess I'll try a colder plug. That solution makes the most sense to me. Thanks for all of your input.