I have a 2002 maxima with 142000 miles on it and I have this rattling noise when I go to gap on the gas and let go. Its around 1500 to 2000 elms, I brought it to 4 mechanics and I got all different stories and I know its not the heat shield. My question is, is there someone in Connecticut that can take a look at my car? Thanks.

 

Valve bucket noise. Probably due to oil consumption.

 

Flex pipe, my car has the same problem.

 

a rattling noise can be anything...look u just got 2 options alredi lmao...and ur about to get a third cuz im gunna say it can be the precat in the header is loose and rattling around ...happend to me

 

Mine does this too, has for as long as I can remember since owning it. However, it's not the flex pipe, there are no cats, it doesn't consume oil, I've scoured the engine bay trying to find anything loose, and runs strong... so I've just let it go.

 

Also want to mention that this is an extremely common problem. As far as I know, nobody has really pinned down a specific problem that causes it.

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-enter-27.html

 

I can't say it's a common problem, til I know want the Other person is really talking about....I have no clue where the sound is coming from nor what it sounds like.....Is it the infamous detonation rattling at part throttle acceleration or is it an exhaust noise??????

 

If you heard it in person, you would swear it was a heat shield rattling. Definitely not engine knock. It happens in a very limited RPM range (for me around 1500-1800) and only under more load than usual. Of course with my clutch and flywheel, I very rarely get into that RPM range as that's chatter/shudder territory.

 

Maybe his, not yours, is actually the cat coming apart! Check all your fasteners on your exhaust...I check mine every 3-6 months to check their security!

 

Yeah it's possible his is something different, but it sounds a lot more like the common issue that's hard to pin down. I spent months trying to diagnose it and am no closer lol

 

Yeah, I had a sound like this at the same rpm range that sparks described. Turns out that one of my header to y-pipe flanges was loose and missing a nut!

 

Wish mine was so simple, I'm jealous.

 

Probably pinging. Try using a lower octane gas and see if it gets worse or an octane booster and see if it reduces or eliminates it. Mine did when I was in Phoenix and their premium is 91 octane vs 93 octane here.

 

It's not that,...Sparks already ruled that out!

 

Haha, it could be that for the OP. Was just pointing out that the rattle isn't always such a simple fix.

 

Happened to me as well. Nice and rusted through but not immediately noticeable.

 

Oh well mine hasn't rusted yet thankfully...

 

i have a rattle as well. all heat shields under the car are coming off this spring for sure

 

Look at this thread, it might help you...

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...er-reving.html

 

My car rattles from 1,000 to 1,500 RPMs. I'm almost positive it's my precats (it sounds like someone filled a container with small pebbles/sand and is shaking it around).

The only issue I had on my '02 AT was pinging under heavy load. A good throttle-body cleaning, SeaFoam and some high octane gas, and it hasn't come back.

 

Got the same issue on 2000 SE. It sounds like something inside intake manifold or TB. It gets louder under low RPM and heavy load or higher gear.

 

This would be my second guess.

 

Same here and I have 2002.

 

If you rev it while at idle and it rattles , probably heat shield

if it rattles when you turn , probably exhaust pipe loose/ off hanger right before the muffler

if its while driving right around 2k you are more than likely very low on oil

 

If you rev it up and let off the gas and get the rattle it is the precats. If it rattles during acceleration or when i you push the throttle down it could be low oil or your timing chain tensioner.

 

You must be itching to replace your engine.

 

Newb here...let me say thanks in advance. Didn't want to resurrect an old thread so posting here. I've done countless hours of research on this subject and it's kinda frustrating. I also have a rattle in my 02 I35 auto. I bought it used with 108k and it now has 120k. I ran it low on oil (1 quart...gulp) cuz I wasn't aware of oil burning issue and rattling appeared around 113k. I burn about 1/2 quart per 1k miles (apparently that's somewhat normal for my car/age from what i've read). It rattles only between 1k and close to 2k rpm's when accelerating lightly...if I press accelerator a little harder it goes away. It starts up like a champ and feels powerful throughout the rev range. No noises at start-up either, just a little white smoke for about 5-7min first thing in morning, no other time. It idle's like a swiss clock, that's why it's so hard to diagnose standing still. I'm now running rotella t6 5w/40 full syn and it runs even quieter than with dino 10/30. Anyway I've narrowed it down to timing chain tensioners, bad pre-cats/exhaust parts. Taking it to mechanic next week and want all my ducks in a row so he can't take advantage.

My question to all those experienced is...how long can I put off this repair under my current condition? (seems like it's not too advanced). I think I read that if you can hear it at idle then it's on it's way out (tensioner). Or should I just spring for a new engine (04 vq) when compared to the price of this repair? (if it is the tensioners)

Any insight will help with my decision, and again thanks in advance.

 

I had the same issue with my 5.5 gen. It was right around 2k rpm under light load. As soon as I gave it more gas, it went away.
I was using 93 octane gas and there was nothing loose on the motor

 

Kinda left things hanging there. Did you ever find or resolve the issue? Or did you just sell the darn thing?

 

Just drive it. Mine makes a sound like small glass wind chimes between 1.5k-1.8k b4 it's warmed up.I can only hear it when the window is down and there is a curb or something similar to reflect the sound.
I'm not worried about it, but curious.

 

Had this issue for abt a year when I was using regular gas. The first time I filled up with premium the chain rattling sound went away.

 

I had this a few weeks ago everytime i pressed on the gas, especially up a slope it would make a rattling sound like like those movie projectors you see in old movies
I checked my oil level and the dip stick had no oil on it! I put in about 2 quarts and problem solved.
Dam maxima is burning mad oil!

 

yep i got this same issue..probably going to change up the oil tomorrow and see what happens. It only occurs under low end acceleartion..and i know that my maxi leaks oil,just sometimes it leaks more oil then i realize. :-(