Hi all:
I never had this problem before my SC installed. but now it is getting a loud rattling sound at cold start and only happens at 1)idle and 2)R, D gears. If I am rolling and pressing the gas pedal a bit....the noise is gone. but once I stop, I can hear it again. The noise gets quieter after I drove the car for several miles.

Kevin took a look for me and the noise is coming from behind the oil drain back plate.

my guess is: the timing chain is not getting lubricated well during idling, and once I spin the SC a bit, it drops some oil back to the timing chain and that explains why it is not making any noise when I pressed the gas pedal. Somehow, it has something to do with engine position....I think that's why I only hear it in R/D, but not in P/N

my questions : will this break anything? should I keep driving my car?

and what should I do to correct the problem? I've heard using heavier engine oil (currently Mobil 1 super syn, 5w30), changing the tensioner/timing chain, etc.




I have a 2000 Maxima with 38k miles. Timing chain cover was replaced due to an accident and I believe they use 4th gen cover instead of 5th gen.



thx in advance

 

If that chain is rattling it's loose. Something isn't quite rite there. I wouldn't take any chances with the timing chain. If it breaks your in deep $hit. If I were you I'd be spending a weekend opening up that cover to have a look around. Perhaps something is wrong due to your accident. Maybe you have a problem with your tensioner. Maybe the 4th gen cover is rubbing against the chain. Noise from that chain isn't a good sign.

My .02

Good luck with it!

Tom

 

Sorry to hear you're having problems. I hope it doesn't sour you on the SC, and I hope it's just a coincidence that the problem was noticeable after you installed the SC. Good luck, man.

 

When I had the problem with my tensioner I performed an engine flush (additive) and switch to 10W30( Mobil synthetic). It helped alot but the rattle from my tensioner never went away until I replaced it.

 

wassup


hey if it really is your chain making noise then id suggest you take care of it. New chain and tensioner is what i would recommend. Parts are pretty cheap, its juss the labor gettin in there and doing it. Make sure its not off by 1 tooth tho...mmm ive seen that before...it sucks

 

Shouldn't powertrain warranty cover this?

 

the service dept would take one look at the SC and blame that....

 

thanks all for your inputs....I really hope this is not from the timing chain. I cant afford any repair at this moment.


Matthel : does timing chain rattling happen even the car is rolling? or it varies. Blackcat has similar symptoms to mine and we are both SC'ed. His cause is the idler pulley went bad. But I havent looked into it yet.


thx

An

 

if the chain is loose, usually it wont rattle when you drive, because you put load/tension on it so no noise, even if it did, you prolly cant hear it over road and engine noise. Idler pulley is on your drive belts tho, should be a completely different noise the timing chain rattle.

 

needs more oil, or tensioner problem

 

Ok, the problem might not be the timing chain, so be careful telling a mechanic that, he'll want to remove the SC to open the timing chain cover and charge you for it.

I found these threads where Deac might have had the same problem:

Deac's problem description

Deac's problem 2.

 

thanks Tan.....I want to look into BlackCat's issue with idler pulley and see the problem will be eliminated. His and Deac's situations are similar to mine. Hope it is not something major and I already got a lot of funny looks when I am going thru the drive-thru at fast food restaraunts.


here is BlackCat's thread:

https://maxima.org/forums/showthread...hreadid=158092


Matthel : thx again....I never heard timing chain knocking noise before. Mine shounds like : der-da-da-da-da-da-da :shinner: in a very fast beat. Do u think u will have time to take a look in the upcoming Nor Cal meet? I want to get a second opinion on this. thx...

 

TTT

 

You missed my other postings. I sent my blower to Vortech last week.
When I took everything off I noticed signs of melting on the idler pulley but that wasn't the cause. I swapped out DanNY's tensioner pulley with the Stillen one and that helped a bit but the noise didn't go away. Using my ratchet with a long extension as a stethescope and placing it against the blower I could hear the bearings going bad.