jrzymuscle25

okay.. so here's my problem that's starting to worry me as I approach 150k miles and need this car to last another year or so...
Since last year, there has been this weird noise under the hood that starts when I need an oil change.. its sort of a grinding/whining noise.. but its not either if you know what I mean.. it sometimes sounds like a higher pitch whining and other times a little more like 'very light' metal grinding with a whine.. so everytime I start hearing it, its around 4k miles after an oil change. So I would bring it in for an oil change, and then the noise would be gone! So I just assumed the car was eating oil and it needed to be refreshed and that would keep the noise away.
Well fast forward a year later and a couple of oil changes and now the noise is constant except for when I pour in a little extra oil from time to time and also I noticed if I go into reverse or I am at a complete stop does the noise seem to stop abruptly. But as soon as I'm over 10mph, the noise is back..

Also, when I pop the hood and face the motor, the noise is coming from the left side (passenger side) I noticed..

Clues? Ideas? Help?

Thanks everyone

cheese20323

Quick question: Is yours a 6spd?
Ecause my bros SE-r did this and it was because it had alittle bit of oil just added some and it went away forever. make sure it doesnt leak or anything..

jrzymuscle25

It is an automatic 5 speed I believe

jrzymuscle25

*Bump*

Lovemycar

Sounds like the timing chain clip some audio

Oolatec

iTrader: (5)

Yea... Timing chain. Gets louder with higher RPMs? Costly repair, but I think if you take it easy, the car will last another year. Then just get rid of it. It's not worth fixing at this point IMO.

jrzymuscle25

did some searching and it sounds like this.. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8827405/Maxima%20Tensioner.MOV

I'm starting to get worried and think its a tensioner or timing chain.. UGH! it seems like a lot of people have a problem with this.. and does a service bulletin mean a recall so Nissan has to fix it?

Riceater

only noise that comes from my hood is the engine!

Oolatec

iTrader: (5)

Service bulletin is not a recall. You will have to pay for the repair. It's a few grand. Not worth it. Just drive. It should last another year.

jrzymuscle25

Okay- weird thing is that it doesn't get louder with rpms and it doesn't make the noise while idling or in reverse I noticed last night. The whining starts up after I'm at like 15 to 20mph

05SmokeSE

With the specific symtoms you are reporting above, I would start to suspect the transmission as the source of the noise.

Just a thought...

pocholin

I have a similar situation but noise goes away at 3000 rpm...instead of getting louder with RPM, it get lower as the engine warms up, once it reaches normal running temp sound is only present at idle, and goes away after ~800rpm or so.

Any ideas??