Hello,

I have a 96 GXE Nissan Maxima that has 122k miles. About 25k miles ago it started making this whining, yet not high pitched, groaning noise when in idle. It happens about 80% of the time and seems more prominent when its cold. It doesnt affect engine performance what so ever as far as I can tell. I brought it in once, but the dealer couldnt find a problem. I have no idea what it is, but in reading some responses on maxima problems there was a mention of "Hyrdaulic Valve Lifters" Sounds like this could be a possibility, but I have no idea. Any ideas, siggestions would be much appreciated. Like I said above, it hasnt affected performance, but is more of an annoyance and makes one think there HAS to be an issue.

Thanks
P-

 

Automatic tranny of 5spd? If it was 5-speed and it makes the noise only when the clutch is out then id say its your differential bearings. but auto, i have no idea.

 

I had a Camry once that made a sort of muted, high pitched groaning. It started at about 124k miles and hadn't stopped at 148k when it was stolen. You could really only hear it stopped while the car was idling, otherwise the motor would be louder. I decided finally it was the A/C compressor. Not sure what was wrong with it, but the A/C worked fine and I was just waiting for it to go out until I replaced it, but it never did.

-Ryan
1996 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

 

I had a whine or whirr sound. Took it to dealer and they said the alternator was going bad. They wanted $600 to put a new alternator on. and another 2500 for a bunch of other nonsense. Starter, boost sensor, etc, etc. I got an alternator at autozone and put it on
myself for $200. Purrs like a kitten again. Changed the idler pully
while I had the belt off, just in case it was causing any of the noise. It was kind of a pain to change the alternator, but for 4 hrs
of work it saved me a bunch of money.

 

I am having the EXACT same problem with my '97 SE but it only has 44k miles on it right now. Do you have any updates to this issue by any chance? or are you just going to wait and see what breaks?

Thanks.

 

I had the same problem too about 6 months ago when i still had my maxima. The dealer said that the differential bearings were failing and the final drive was probly shot too. They said either rebuild it or replace it. I wish i took their advice and just put a new tranny in it, now im stuck with a 2003 Lemon of a Jeep.