It's an 02 GLE Auto with 88k miles.

When I first start it up I hear some top end chatter. I don't notice any performance or driveability issues.

Sometimes it chatters and sometimes I don't hear it. Once the motor is fully warm it's gone. Oil is full 5w30.

Do the 3.5's have some normal chatter?

 

Very common problem, there is a TSB for the VTC sprockets but once the car is out of warranty good luck getting it fixed free. Mine has had the start up rattle since I got it with 113,800 miles on it. Got 188,700 miles on my car now, still has the start up rattle, hasn't gotten worse. Obviously doesn't affect the long term durability of the engine.

Just FYI, a bad passenger side engine mount will make the rattle sound worse. I thought mine was getting real bad, replaced the engine mount because it was clunking and the rattle noise almost completely went away. Still there but not very noticeable now, like when I first bought the car.

 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. Right at startup the first second or two the chatter is really loud. It only lasts for a second or so. The chatter I'm describing is just top end noise till the motor warms up.

 

Check out this thread

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-their-vq.html

 

Does the 3.5 require a valve adjustment ever as far as maitence. What I'm talking about is the rattle after the start up.

 

I think I am having the same problem on mine. I got an 03 SE with 72k miles. For about the last year or so, the chatter and or rattle from the top of the engine has gotten louder at start up. I did a search on valve rattle and found this post. Thought maybe it was the gas, since I was using low octane and it calls for super. No missing or sputtering but it makes a noise that is noticeable to my passengers. No warning lights and or codes yet. Seems to be worse in cold weather and its not as loud once the car warms up. I read about a motor mount above. When I first start the car, the hood at the front rattles until the idle dies down after warm up.
I am a newbie here, so what does TSB and VTC mean?
When I am driving at highway speeds, and I accelerate faster, I think I am hearing some of the chatter/rattling. It reminds me of a sticking lifter when I used to work on Chevy V8 engines. Any similarities? Is any harm being done from what I am describing?
Thanks for all the help,
R

 

Wow, if I could read that post without getting a headache, I would respond to it.
That color hurts my brain.

 

It honestly sounds to me like most of you are describing the cam sprocket rattle that's associated with our cars.

Rattles at startup, and then subsides as oil pressure builds up. Both of my Maximas, my 4AT and my 6MT have done/do it. My 4AT had the startup rattle from 125k miles all the way up until I took her off the road at 177K without affecting performance at all.

 

VTC= variable timing cam and TSB=technical service bulletin that hass all the recalls and such. I had and still have rattle at startup and for that same second that the rattle is audible the oil light blinks. I had the engine swapped for an 05 max and still have the same rattle. It sounds to me that when u leave the car parked over night the oil returns to the pan and at startup it takes a sec for all parts to be lubricated again. Like I said, this has been happening on both engines, the 03 and the 05.

 

Oh, and trooplewis, I found a way to read that, I just had to highlight it

 

Sorry about the font color. OK, the more I read the more I hear my concern is common among the 3.5 L engine in 03 and forward. Its definatley noticeable, as mentioned I think I can hear it slightly at highway speeds even once the engine reaches operating temp. Other than that is runs great. No hesitation or missing, it pulls all the way to red line. I am easy on it but every now and then I will put my foot into it to see if the rattle is causing any sort of problems. I hope to get at least 150k miles out it. I change the oil every 3000 miles, and have changed the trans fluid a few times as well.
Do I need to think about new spark plugs yet? I have 79K miles. I made a typo above. Also I had to replace the radiator about 1000 miles ago. It was leaking at the top corner. Got a new one for about $100 at the auto part store. I had to laugh, I was barely able to put 1 gallon of coolant in vs one of my big block chevy cars which takes about 5.5 gallons. So that threw me a loop. LOL.