16 month 2004 SL Automatic Max. Just recently developed a rattling noise upon startup. The noise goes away after a few minutes. Any idea what this could be?

 

I am sure it is one of the 500 moving parts on the engine. Can you describe the noise, is it a tic tic tic, ping, knock....?

It is normal for the engine to make some noise before it heats up and the oil begins to circulate. The fact that it goes away after a few minutes is encouraging and would not worry me too much.

 

It sounds like a rock rolling in a tin can. You can hear it in the cabin upon start up then it quits. No pinging or valve problems. I know that sound.

 

It's the timing chain. I had the same issue on my '02, but have not heard it with the '04 yet. It's nothing to worry about.

 

Is it kind of like a growl that goes away just after the engine starts up? If so, many of us here also have that problem (but dealers can never seem to replicate).

 

I am pretty sure you are hearing the ABS self check. Lasts about 2 seconds and sounds like a growl. Happens just after the car starts to move.

 

this rattle I hear starts as soon as the key is turned and before it is ever put in gear. last a couple of seconds and is gone. Put a pebble in a coke can and roll it around. That is the sound.

 

i have a ratteling noise from the exhaust or sumthing. i accelerate and i hear a rattleing noise.. i think it might be a loose clamp on the exhaust pipe, i dont know wut it is. and do not have time to go to the dealer..anyone know uwt this might be?

 

Sounds like the heat shoeld over the cat converter.

 

No, this noise occurrs just after I start the car (while engine is still revving up from being started), way before I ever put it in gear... it's actually quite loud.

 

Does it occurr at about 2K RPM? If so, it sounds like a lose heat shield (as factorymax suggested). A few of us here have had this problem, and it will take the service tech just a few minutes to fix it.

 

Gentlemen,
The answer in my thread above
Trust me.

 

i have the same problem since the day i got it..car starts and i warm it up..until the thermometer is in the middle..even from there i drive it makes the empty can noise until 3k rpm and gives the original mean nosie after 3krpm..and the noise goes away after like 3~4 min driving..what is this??timing belt?

 

05WHTMAXISL,

The startup noise is the timing chain. However, if you continue to hear the noise beyond startup, you have a different issue.

 

its the same noise of empty can rocks in side..it happens to me when i drive first 2~3 minutes..is this timing belt or other issues?

 

Roshan,
Sounds like one, or both, of the chrome exaust tip finishers. I had a loose one that made the same noise. Go to the dealer, it's a quick fix.

 

It could also be the oil pump loosing its prime. For all of you who change your oil yourself, listen to the first startup after oil is drained and new oil is put in. It sounds like what you are describing.

 

i went to nissan today.. made me wait 2 hours and then told me that everything is on.. all the clamps are tight.. and they sed i dont have a heat shield on the 04 max se... i was like wut the ****... made me wait..

 

I think I have the exact same thing on my car. I noticed the very next morning after I started it up in the morning. I hear it off and on alot. It almost sounds like a metal shield or something vibrating when I step on the gas. It maybe also could be a pulley bearing or something, Not sure. I am thinking about taking it in to the dealer in the morning.

 

As Mr. Jones said, this is a common VQ problem known as timing chain rattle. Until oil pressure stabilizes after start, there can be some excess slack in the chain (the chain tensioner is oil pressure actuated). There's actually an Infiniti TSB out on this issue. My dealer is very open about it. Their position is that it's harmless so long as it lasts only a few seconds. They strongly recommend repair ASAP if it is lasting 10-15 seconds or more. In between, they'll repair it if you want them to. The repair consists, as I recall, of replacing the VVTC and small chain on the side that's generating the noise. You have to leave the car overnight at the dealer so that they can start it "cold soaked" in order to best replicate the problem, and ID which cylinder bank is generating the noise (usually, it's only one side). I really don't like the sound, but for me, it only lasts 1-2 seconds tops, so I'm debating whether to push the issue since I'm just about equally uneasy with the idea of the techs tearing into my six-month-old engine. For now, I console myself with the thought that sound or not, it's better than having to worry about, and regularly replace, a timing belt.

EDIT for typo.

 

Well, so much for my computer and organizational skills -- I can only find the timing chain rattle TSB for the Nissans (not the Infiniti one I referred to above). Anyway, here's the 2003 version; this should shed some light on the problem:

Timing Chain Rattle TSB

 

Ihope it is not the timimg chain in my case since it does it al the time off and on wheather the car is cold or hot, To me my noise sounds more like some kind of thin metal vibrating or something like a heat shield or something.