How long does the tensioner rattle for on 1st start up. I thought i was all done messing with my 3.5 swap, but i started it and got her idleing waiting for the rattleing to go away, and its been over a half hour. It either the chain or i got some serious valve problems. It does increase with engine rpm so idk what is going on, any input guys?

 

hows the oil level? low oil can cause a rattle on start-up, maybe really low oil causes it to continue? did you prime the tensioner? get a s***hescope and put it to the block and find exactly where the rattling comes from

 

I put 5qt's in. This is getting werid, I hooked up the cruse control, and for some reason when i started it the engine went straight to redline. So i unhooked the cruise control, it was to tight, and started it again..noise gone. I had a few more little things like tighting down my throttle cable brackets to do before my 1st test drive, so i do all the little things, start it up get 2 houses away and i punched it in 2nd a little bit, nothing serious. The damn noise came right back. It sounds like somethings rattling around, tomorrows another day, i'll figure it out then

 

I'm guessing you somehow set-up the CC incorrectly (throttle cable must have got caught up somewhere and caused the throttle to go @ or near WOT during start-up.)

Now I'm wondering if it's not a heat shield/exhaust rattle vs timing chain. Pinpoint the noise using a stethoscope as DasYears pointed out. Or even a rubber hose.

 

my chain rattles occasionally on hot days when i first start it up. i put in 5w-30 to start with. im switching to a thicker oil next oil change, should solve it.

congrats on getting it running finally though man.

 

when I did a swap with a junkyard VQ, it rattled really loud for probably 15 seconds and then went silent.

 

A short video clip would REALLY help, if possible.

 

You should REALLY prime the motor before you start it. Every time I do timing chains and water pump on customers Maxima's I do this. The last 2 handfull chain jobs I've done have rattled for approx 1 minute till all the noise went away. I've done it where I forgot to prime the motor- kinda in the hurry to get it done, and the motor rattled for approx 5 min. I just put a screw driver in the throttle body drum, let the car run at 2400RPM for 2 min and it would go away.

How is your oil pressure ? I seen one too many VQs with bad oil pumps.

 

^ i have the vq30de 97 and i think i might also have thie timing chain rattle. Usually on the first start of the day, or after work. It does it for about 15-30 seconds and goes away. but i have a feel of the noise on my foot when u touch the brake peal too.

no oil is leaking on the floor, so i think the oil pressure sensor is still fine. but i know its a known issue.

 

Imo timing chain guide & tensioner maybe?
Sure fixed my rattle attle.

 

i dont think i could do that myself, and it would cost me a pretty penny to get it done at a shop.

is it ok to leave it like it is ?

 

You could leave it... But the rattling will only get worst. Just change it out yourself it's actually pretty easy.