2007 SL with just over 51k miles.

I have noticed a sound coming from the engine bay that, to me, sounds like a chirping (or high pitched sound). Only happens on first startup or when engine is cold. Sounds doesn't seem to change with engine RPM, that I can tell. Also it does seem to change (ever so slightly) when I put the car in and our of gear. Bad motor mount?

I have read about the timing chain tensioners, etc. Is this an issue on the 07-08 or did Nissan correct that problem by then? Also, what does that issue sound like? Is it higher pitched or more of a knocking/thumping sounds. Does it change with engine RPM. etc?

I am still under the 60k drivetrain warranty, so my best bet may be to just take it into the dealership. I fear that it will be one of those things that they don't hear though.

Any ideas?

 

Belts...maybe have them checked. I had to change mine out at before 60k...no more noise.

 

I agree that it could be the belt or belt tensioner (not timing chain).

 

My belt was about 4 years old, maybe 36000 on the ticker, cracks everywhere. Couldn't see them unless you twisted the belt in your hand, otherwise the belt looked fine.

Start with the belt...I heard the same chirp cold. With the new belt engine sounded much better...

 

Oh, there are two belts. Replace them both since you'll be in there.

One does Power steering, the other does the AC and Alternator. The AC/Alternator is probably the one making all the noise, but again, replace them both so you don't have to go back in there..

 

Thanks all!


Did you do it yourself or take it to someone?

I replaced all of the tensoiners, idlers and both belts on my '04 Yukon a few months ago and that was pretty straight forward. Those are all off the front though and a large enough area to get my hands and tools into. Not sure on how I would go about getting to the belts and stuff on the Maxima. I will search to see if someone has done a write-up on this.

 

I always have in teh past. This car no. I was at Firestone getting oil change, then came back and said it the AC/Alt needed a new one. I told them I thought it was fine the last time I looked at it. They took me outside to show me they weren't BS'n, and I conceded that since they spotted it, they can have the labor if they'd replace both for the price of one. It was around $45 for labor, plus the minor markup on the parts. They had it done in 30 min, and it worked out because I had a long trip that week anyway...

 

Wow, that is a good deal! I would have let them do it too if I trusted their abilities.

 

This is not the chirping noise I am referring to in this thread, but after reading the timing chain tensioner thread, I am thinking I have the beginnings of the tensioner failure.

I am thinking about taking my Maxima to the dealer. Took this video of an engine noise that sounds like the beginnings of the timing chain tensioner issue.

2007 Maxima SL with 52000 miles. Not sure if the TSB covers '07-'08 or not.

Can anyone confirm whether this sound is the start to the chain tensioner issue?

Skip to 50 seconds to hear the noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mijiQEf0mxg

 

Say's you're video is Private...

 

Sorry, should be good now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mijiQEf0mxg

 

They have a TSB on the tensioner???

 

Timing chain tensioners...

 

ya so if mine is defective they will replace for free ?

 

If they have indeed failed and you are under your 5 year 60k mile warranty, yes the dealership will fix it at no charge to you.

 

Dumb qestion, but do they all fail eventually? Why do some ppl have em completely scrap after not so long, and some people are still ok????

 

The TSB states something about the timing chain having sharp edges. The chain eats through the plastic portion of the tensioner that the chain rides on. Not sure why some have it and some don't. Nissan did re-design the guide and are using a chain that does not have sharp edges, so who knows.

 

This sounds exactly like my 2006 use to sound before I had the apparent defective chain guides replaced for $1,700. I didn't hear a chirping sound on your video however. It sounded more like a whinning sound...

 

Yeah, I have 2 different issues.

Whining sound is the chain tensioners. I haven't had a chance to get it into the dealer for this yet.

Chirping (now squealing) is the AC belt. I tried changing it yesterday, but I can't figure-out how to loosen the belt. I loosened the brass bolt above the tensioner pulley, but the pulley did not move. Is there another bolt that needs to be loosened to allow the pulley to move? I know the other belt has 2 bolts that need to be loosened, but I haven't gotten that far.

Also, I know I have seen a diagram of the pulley system that shows these tensioners and the bolts associated with loosening/tightening them. I can't seem to find it. Anyone know where that diagram can be found?

 

Found it...

http://nissanhelp.com/diy/maxima/pro...eplacement.htm

I did not loosen the idler pulley lock nut. Yeah, I am an idiot. I read Dues' underdrive pulley install thread and only loosened the adjusting bolt. Think I screwed up the tensioner assembly by doing that?

 

Good luck on the repair man and more power to you for doing this yourself.

Are you gonna do the timing chain too?

Also, can you describe this "chirping sound" in higher detail? Trying to figure out if they did my timing chain correctly. Cause I don't hear the whining sound anymore but I hear a slight metallic sound. It seems pretty normal but if something is wrong than I wanna take it back to the stealership before they forget that I was there LOL

 

Definitely the belts. Dealer just replaced mine. The tech said the whining/whirring noise I am hearing at 2000+ RPMs is the alternator. They suggested replacement to the tune of $565.

 

That's good that you got that figured out. The price doesn't seem to bad in my opinion.

 

is the chirping sound from the belt being too loose or too tight? i replaced mine a month ago and after i got my timing chain and tensioners replaced i can hear this chirp on startup now.

 

Mine sounded like an electric moor at first. Messed me up since it was coming from passenger side. Turns out, it was tensioners. It would even go away at an idle for awhile.

 

Be careful if you go to a dealership to get tensioners fixed they usually only put the shoes on it. Better to get whole tensioner since they are put under stress when the shoe gets worn down. Sound could be tensioner instead of the chain slap that comes with the shoe wear.

 

Check this link out. Its the service Bulletin for the 3.5 tensioner problem. Like I said make sure to get tensioner not just shoes and your car should be under warrenty for this. I think its a recall, well a service guy at Nissan called it that.
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/fi...e_bulletin.pdf