2004 Maxima 3.5 SL 133k miles

Has a rattling noise on start up and goes away after a few seconds. Rattles a little bit when you give it gas when cold. Goes away when warm. I was originally thinking the timing chain tensioner problem was the issue but I read a couple posts and saw a couple videos and it seems that if that was the problem it would make a much worse sound for a much longer time. Any other problems it could be?

Here's a short video of the noise. This was a cold start, car had been sitting for a day and a half. The car does have a high idle when cold, probably normal though. Let me know what you think... Thanks

 

it's hard to diagnose a sound like that. Something seems loose. I would check everything is tight, especially that which is attached to the engine close to a firewall. Check your motor mounts to make sure they are still good. Doesn't sound like anything that could be damaging though, just loose. Not a timing chain sound. Might be that damn heatshield under the car that has a small crack in it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was seriously about to order the timing chain parts and get it done next week, (when I have 3 days off work). But it's my parents car and they described it worse than it is. I know that they had ALL motor mounts replaced about a year ago. I'll take a look and see what I can find.

Any other replies are appreciated, maybe someone had the same sound.

 

Sounds like the noise made when a starter Bendix remains out and rubbing on the Flywheel.

Might have to raise the car up on a hoist, stat it and try to determine where the noise may be coming from. As was already mentioned it can be difficult to isolate the sound cause it can transfer the sound making it hard to pin point it without checking various parts of the Engine, above and below.

 

Problem was found and fixed.

Car was almost due for an oil change so I went ahead and did that, while underneath I noticed the AC/Alt belt was bad so I went ahead and replaced both belts, I get parts cheap through work. Got both Gatorback belts for $20 total. Started looking around for the noise , tapping on various parts. Tapped in front of one cat and it was solid, tapped in front of the other and it rattled. Noticed the mounting bracket thing was broken in half causing the noise. Removed the broken pieces and the car hasn't made that noise for the past few days

 

good deal, if you can post a pic so others can look for the same thing if they are having this issue.

 

Ya I meant to, just got side tracked

Here's the cracked bracket, easy to find.

And one of the new belts, just because I like seeing new parts on a car. Cheap and easy replacement and will save some headache down the road. I also noticed multiple heat shields and bracketry that could also be prime suspects for a noise like that. If you experience a noise like that, kind of a hollow rattle, just tap around underneath the car and move other parts like the exhaust so you can get an idea of where it's coming from.