I'm talking about this elusive metallic rattling/clanking when accelerating around 2000-2500 RPM. It's different from the VIAS control valve noise I've read about here and emanates from below the car, likely the exhaust. Many gen 5 Maxi's I come across in parking lots or the road have this noise. Just the other day, I saw an older Murano with the same racket. I went so far as to strip the exhaust shielding off my I35 thinking that was the culprit but the noise still persists.

 

edit: Just noticed you said it sounds like exhaust... This sounds like the death rattle of the precat. This is TERRIBLE news if so (cylinder walls are being trashed).

Other than that, it is about the rpm for pinging issues. Low octane will definitely make it appear, although, some people have reported it even with 93. I suggest colder plugs if 93 doesn't work. It should only happen when it's hot outside.
Does it sound like a muted rattle can or marbles bouncing in the engine?

 

^^Interesting you mentioned gas. When I first got the car, I used 87 and the rattling was much more prevalent. I only use Top Tier 93 since then and the noise has died down considerably, but still occurs intermittently. Weather doesn't make a difference.

I found a vid that captures the noise between 0:27-29:

 

the 2000 rpm noise is the serpentine belt tensioner... sounds like bees in a can

 

The noise on the video sounds electronic, like a relay clicking

 

Can;t really hear anything definitive from that video.

 

It could also be one of the cats insides have become loose and rattling around also.

 

If that were the case, why would premium gas make the noise occur less frequently?

 

Really? Did you find replacing yours cured the rattle noises? Strange that it only happens btwn 2K to 2500rpm

 

Read your fuel lid "Highest Premium Fuel Recommended" It's your fuel grade your using don't use 87 octane....93 only!

 

My brother and I both have 2003s and they both make the same damn noise when its warmer out from ~1500-2200rpm.

At this point, it's safe to say it's mild detonation from the ECU advancing timing. Nissan probably did this in order to get better fuel economy in higher gears (especially when the best you can do is 16mpg city lol), but once you add some carbon build up in the mix then you can have some issues.

I'm personally going to use Nissan Scan Tool with an OBDII cable and bump my timing back at least 2deg to see if it helps.



We have always run 92/93 octane.

 

I'm pretty sure that you're talking about the heat shield rattle common on all 5th Gen Maximas.

 

Not all of them.... only the ones w/heat shields.

 

i am telling you there is another rattle bees in a can noise that is the serpentine belt pulley, not exhaust or detonation related.

i had a shop replace mine, it didnt go away but I plan on going back next time for more work and talking to them about it.

Rochester went through this noise and his mech and him figured out it was the tensioner pulley aka serpentine pulley.

i am running premium and tcw3 and advanced timing, and get the rattle only around 1,700-2,000 rpm

 

Nice find. Did you use an OEM replacement or aftermarket? I too think it's the tensioner for I once heard it on a cold start (guess it revved into that range) and heard it from that exact area when I popped the hood.

 

thank Roch and his mechanic, and yea i can't wait to see what the shop can do, they simply replaced but something else must be tweaked to correct it, Roch did replace in his succesful fix, but in theory it seems it may not need to if you can tweak things in that area.

and let me reiterate it sounds like exhaust, heatsheilds, rattles, metal , pinging, but it is none of the those in reality.