Hey guy lov my max but this noise wont stop. need some help. I have found the TSB in the forums and had the dealer look at it. the TSB NTB03-060 stated the noise is from the VTC (Valve Timing Control) sprockets. so the first time they replaced the left sprocket. then the noise still happend so they replaced the right VTC sprocket. but its still happening...Does anyone know the lemon laws in Illinois (Chicago) b/c im planning on taking it in again but i just dont know how to tell them either fix this problem or give me another car. knowing nissan i dont think they will do anything unless i have something reallllyyy good to back myself up with.

 

what kind of oil filter are you using? cuse the nissan filter and i believe Wix(im going to check that right now) have a check valve(one way valve) in them so that the oil lines hold there pressure. I think the noise you are hearing is the slack in the timing chain do to lack of oil pressure. I have my max at the dealer right now for that noise and some hesitation and the service manager asked me about the kind of filter i use. Hope it helps.

 

Do this, turn the key to IGNITION ( all the lights on) wait like 1-2 seconds and then hit the starter. Lemme know if the rattle is still there

 

jimmycapp, I got my last oil change at the nissan dealer so im sure they used a nissan filter. what year max do you have? and does your noise happen for like a second during a cold start too?


BlackBIRDVQ, I will give that a shot on my back back home from work today ..i hope it doesnt make that noise. will let you know.
thanks

 

Most Maximas have the rattle problem at start up.
It shouldn't be a problem if it goes away after a second or so.

 

Oil-starved hydraulic lifters? Does this happen the next time you start it after you ran the engine for a minute or less? Mine (VQ30DE) does not like being driven into the garage from the driveway, especially now that's cold. I got to drive around the block to make sure next time I start it there's no lifter clatter.

 

Nope -the VQ does not have hydraulic lifters, indeed, it does not even have lifters....the cams are direct-acting

 

I stand corrected. Timing chain tensioner?

 

Now we're talking. It's exactly that, a loss of pressure in the tensioners that cause that brief 'thrashing' noise.

It should be gone very quickly...one second, 1.5 seconds maximum....any longer than that and it's not normal.

Mitigate it with the right oil filter (with an anti-drain-back valve) and oil of the correct viscosity. In cold weather, should be 10W30, preferably 5W30. I use both and the thrashing lasts less than a half-second.

 

It could also be caused by one of the timing control sprockets.
Here is the TSB link.
http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissan/TSB/Oct/54333.asp

 

yeah,,,i got this problem on my 2k max SE stick shift .when the weather is cold these days..i got that sounds for about 1 second...but when the weather is warm...it doens't show up...don't know why!!!!

 

2002. It makes it for a second in the morning/ when its sat for a while. I just got her back from nissan and they said it was the oil filter i was using. Im changing the oil today and trying a nissan filter, the one on it now is a wix i believe (what the dealer used , where it was traded in). Hopefully the sound goes away.

 

I don't change oil at the dealer, and yet to experience a problem. I definitely think it's more a problem in the winter, with most other cars too on a cold start.

 

I had this on my 2k2, and 2k3. Live with it. Even the G35's do this as well. ALl VQ35's do this

 

I will have to live with it, I have no choice if the dealer cant fix it

 

I will have to talk to my dealer about this the next time i go in for a oil change. dont you think they would use the correct filter and oil for max at a nissan dealer?

 

I wasnt trying to be an ***. Sorry!!... I meant on my 2k3, it does it briefly during cold start up. Unusual yes! Uncommon NO.

When my buddy started his G35C, and it rattled, i started laughing because he was wondering what that was too!!....

 

Timing chain tensioner??

 

seen many posts likes this, its pretty common on a lot of 5th gen maximas, just make sure its not more than 2 seconds. The cold weather can really mess with your car.