I've had an '02 Maxima SE with 170k for about 18 months. I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes to cars, but Im trying to learn more all the time. For about the 1st 9 months I never got an oil change. I just kept buying quarts from walmart and adding it to the engine. Yes, I know, I'm painfully ignorant.

I eventually realized that I was being a dumbass. Now I change it regularly. There's this rattling noise the engine makes though, and Im not sure if that means my engine will give out soon. My mechanic chastised me about this of course and said it's just gonna make that noise forever.

I do want to begin putting $$ into the car and tuning it up, making mods for performance and long life. But I don't want to waste my money if the car will just die sooner than later. I know Nissans in general are beastly in the longevity department and are all around great cars.

Being the not so knowledgeable owner that I am, I would love to get some feedback from you guys that have exp in this area. What would you do in my situation?

Anything helps!

 

The first thing to do that would be a great start for us to begin helping you is to describe in a bit more detail the rattle and if possible take a video. Important things to know are when it rattles, where, for how long, etc.

Next do some searching. There are hundreds of posts on engine rattles. Find which one matches closely with what you are experiencing.

Finally get the proper maintenance done on the vehicle before you think of any performance enhancing mods. Get any engine codes cleared away first. Change out fluids - trans/coolant - if required. Change the air and cabin filters. Change spark plugs. And so on...

 

like this?

 

If it's consuming that much oil....

 

Yea, we really can't give you a whole lot of specific information without having more details about what's going on. Is it rattling all the time? Only on startup? Only on shutdown? At a certain RPM? Only on acceleration or deceleration?

Also how much oil consumption are you talking about? Less than a quart a month? More than a quart a week?

Details are the name of the game for proper diagnosis.

 

I have a 2003 gle with 97k it makes a rattling noise when cold starting. Just got the car almost 2weeks ago. It also makes a noise when cutting it off also but rides perfect. Not sure if it's a problem this is my first nissan

 

Its mainly while parked and idling that I hear the noise, or when I let off the gas and just coast. It happens in the city and on the highway. When I hit the gas it goes away for the most part.

Here's a video of what it sounded like parked outside today.

 

 

Best $4 I've ever spent when dealing with my cars (Harbor Freight), and especially rattles. There are host of causes for your rattle. Try eliminating some. Does it rattle only when a/c is on / oil level good / accessory mounts eg alternator-are they loose / belts tight? If it's internal maybe cam followers or lifters.

 

I wonder if theres a Harbor freight near Phx Az.. ill find out and buy this

 

My 2003 has the rattle but only does it on deceleration. It doesn't seem to matter what the rpm is. It's not obnoxiously loud but noticeable. Could this be indicative of a timing chain or something more sinister. I'm in the process of selling the car and had some guy tell me that the engine would need to be replaced. I'm somewhat mechanical but just not sure on this issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

This is the same with my max (2002 AT SE). Did anybody find the source of the problem?

 

I have that exact same problem. It is coming from the backside of the motor (firewall) only happens on deceleration. Might be the tensioner for the chain.

 

Timing chain rattle which is a pretty ubiquitous problem for 2k2 and 2k3. Partly due to the oil burning issue. If you don't keep the oil level up you will have premature wear on the timing chain causing the rattle.

 

Damn..how can this be fixed? Am I looking at a lot of $$ to get fixed or can this be a do it yourself job?

 

Don't know for sure...do a search on the board for "timing chain rattle" and you'll see a wealth of information. The search function is your friend on here. Any problem you may have has certainly been experienced before and communicated on here...over and over again.

 

the cost to do the timing chain tensioner is a bit more labour than doing a timing belt per say on a transverse mounted V6. Expect about 6 hours labour at minimum. My '03 had it for a bit but I never fixed it since I was getting another car. My recommendation is getting it fixed asap since you're driving on borrowed time with a broken tensioner

 

If it on deceleration check your heat shield. I had a broken pin and it was sagging and would touch exhaust when slowing down. Few $$ to have a tac welded in

 

I have the same noise and decided to replace the precats which im in the process of doing. Once i got the front off, half of the honeycomb inside was gone. I cant confirm thats what its until i put it back together.

 

I had the same sound, no correlation to rpm or speed. The material in one of the precats was loose and rattling around. I recently had it (I think bank 1) replaced and that fixed the issue. I also had a corresponding P0420.

 

have the same issue at times, does not do it until the car warms up tho. Sounds like in the exhaust area, Some days i hear it, and some days i dont. gonna have to replace those precats asap.