Nissan Maxima 2002 as it turns on and as I drive it right after makes this rattling noise like if it was a semi-truck or one of those trucks that make a loud noise. I hear it in the front right by the passenger side. It sounds like a semi truck on idle or one of those squared trucks. It sounds mostly when I start the car but then it calms down once I be driving it.
What is it? any idea?

 

well you have a host of choices from the front passenger side, without an audio clip one is only going to be guessing at what you hear... here is a list of possibilities
1. timing chain rattle
2. tensor
3. alternator belt
4. pulley
5. any parts of the suspension assembly
6. wheel bearing/hub assembly

Just to name a few things, I am sure that the members cam equally add a half dozen more things ... try to make an audio clip and post it up so one can hear what you are hearing.

 

I would say exactly what ghost says.. but more emphasis on 1 and 2

 

Hear is the rattling sound I'm not sure if you guys can hear it right.
http://youtu.be/qjdQx-gTPmM?list=UUc...N2MZuOlefh8IjA
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qjdQx-gTPmM?list=UUcQttEZ2sN2MZuOlefh8IjA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>




HERE IS ONE WHEN I START IT UP
http://youtu.be/zFz6ldha1T8

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zFz6ldha1T8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Your rattle noise sounds like a precat breaking up (bank 1) or as I mentioned before timing chain ( that little chirp at start up sound like a bad pulley bearing) ... you have another thread about sluggish acceleration and you also mention an ongoing oil leak for the past few months ... strange how that works as your ongoing oil leak has now lead to possible damage to the timing chain or lead to the clogging up of your precats. You need to address that oil leak first before you can correct the damage that it is causing. If you haven't seen the P0420 or P0430 codes yet you soon will be. As for the other codes that you said you had and went away doesn't mean the issue went away as the codes are pending fault codes and after you have gone through a drive cycle the SES light reset but the codes stay store in memory as pending codes that need attention. You should have the SES codes read to see what you have stored in memory/pending and report back ... first things first solve the oil leak !!!!!!!

 

I thought the mechanic had fix the oil leak but apparently there's another that leaks very little underneath mostly in the center. Where could that leak be coming from?but I do believe that causes the timing chain to sound loud but would fixing the oil leak make the timing chain sound normal or would the timing chain need a replacement?

No I have not seen the codes P0420 or P0430 and I hope I do not see them in the future.

And how can i fix that chirp or the pulley bearing? is it some screw I have to loosen up that holds the belt?? maybe it's a little tight??

 

1.You need to drop oil pan to be sure.

2.Maybe

3.Consider yourself fortunate.

4.Replace it.

5.the one on the pulley(front)then the one on top.


I've learned to hate Mack Truck sounds in my VQ but other than that she's ****!

Some people shell out dealer dollars to get rid of it, only to reassemble and still have the noise...

 

so removing the gasket pan to see if there's any holes? check out this thrread i have pictures of where its leaking from. Its like from some transmission or engine I'm not sure. check the pic 2 and 4th. i don't understand why it can be dripping from the gasket pan if the mechanic fixed and sealed it.

and for the pulley, where's the front one located? I know there's one I could see in that gap but it's like on right side facing towards the hood.

 

Low oil levels will cause the damage to the timing chain, the reason why I suggested to solve the oil leak first ... other areas to consider where the oil leak may be is the front valve cover or the rear valve cover, around the CPS or Cam Position sensors (there are two of these one for each bank), around the Crank Position sensor just to name a couple of known problem areas for leaks. Best to clean the entire engine as best you can so you will be able to see any new areas for leakage. As for the little chirp you need someone/ or yourself to listen while the car is started so you can pin point the area that has the chirp, I suggested pulley but it could also be the alternator belt tensor that the bearing is on its way out ... these are just suggested areas you have to confirm things yourself and report back so folks can help you solve the issues.

 

No holes buddy!

If what you're sayn is the leak between trans and engine ,search "half moon seal"or "rear main seal" that should get you some results.

Btw as for the tensioner pulley i ment the front of the engine, it sits sideways on these cars i should have clarified.

I believe there's even lots of threads with pictures floating around the .ORG on you're particular issues, but i warn you "Read at your own Risk"

 

P0021 code popped out what does that mean? something about Timing over advanced and Camshift bank 1 or bank 2 I think i forgot.

I replaced a couple of hose that are associated with the control valve and the vapor canister. As soon as I replaced them and turned on the car, the codes went away.

 

Here's the locations of the two Cam Position Sensors (CPS)

 

^
Does it happen at a certain RPM?

 

What happens at a certain rpm?

 

The noise

 

yes, around a 3 or sometimes 2.

 

Is this that weird knocking pinging type noise around 2000 rpm??

 

yes and a rattle

 

Like this?
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...se-2k-rpm.html

 

Hey thanks man, P0430 came up. bad pre cat huh.

 

So took it to a mechanic to search for the oil leak but it turns out to be transmission fluid but very small drops. Said not to worried about it until I start seeing more and keep adding transmission fluid. So there's no oil leak. How is it that either my precat or o2 sensor is mess up. (P0430)