I've neglected my Max over the last year or so and wanted to do a full 90K service (none of the fluids have been changed). They did everything including flushing out the radiator, trans and power steering, they also tightened up my suspension (alot quieter now ). The Max has been pinging on occasion since new but after the service it seemed to get a little worse (Chevron or Shell 91 always). On top of that my engine idles now at 950 rpm. The dealer tells me that the idling is done by the ECU and is not adjustable. I'm also hearing the "chattering noise" when you start up the car when its cold. I noticed that before but it seems more present now.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

Using a consut II you can adjust the idle. Check the FSM.

I hear the cahterring noise at startu-up as well, I guess we can't complain too much since we have timing chains instead of belts.. My point, I'd rather hear the chatter than have to replace a blet every now and again.

 

Are you sure that the "chattering noise isn't actually ping-ing (knock)?

 

Damn dave!! where you been? haven't seen you post in forever...haha

anyway alot of 5.5 gens get the cold start up rattle...I get it but its more of an annoyance than a problem...

try removing your intake manifold and spraying the **** out of it with TB cleaner...i only have 41k miles when I did mine and it was pretty dirty up in there....after I cleaned my IM, I added an oil catch can from ebay....alot of members on the org say this helped solved their pinging issues....I never really had pinging issues with my max...but I still wanted to clean my IM just becuz, peace of mind I guess...

and yes, the consult II can be used to adjust idle....

 

Hey Maximadave,

What did they tighten up on your suspension?

 

everytime i would hit a bump or pothole in the road, the undercarriage would rattle, dash would rattle, etc. not sure exactly what he did but whatever he did definately helped! I'll find out next time when i visit the dealership.

Yeah its been a while....

 

How much did they charge you? I'm always nervous when Im at the dealership ...i always think they are gonna clean me out. im also nervous about taking her to a local mech since id prefer nissan qualified technicians. argh, where is the best of both worlds?

i get the chattering, too.
i used seafoam to clean out my intake. i didnt have a prob before i used it and i cant say it hurt my car...
did you try the ecu reset procedure?

 

Go to www.cartalk.com and click on MechanXFiles. Put in your make and zip code and a list of consumer reviewed mechanics will pop up. The two listed for my area have been outstanding.

 

i get the start up rattle too...most people do

idle can be changed with consult...set it around 750

 

100% because i know the difference between spark knock and chain chatter.

I had the same chatter on a 233k mile VQ30, as well as a JWT ECU in 95* weather, so neither spark knock nor chain chatter are new to me.

 

so what's the deal with the rattling at 2k rpms under load? did cleaning your TB and adding the oil catch really help?