Can anyone confirm what this nasty noise is? I'm about 95% sure my timing chain is dragging pretty bad but don't know for sure. This is at idle after the car has been warmed up. I get some chain noise at startup but it gets really bad when the car is hot.

What options do I have to fix this? I've got 122,000 miles and would like to keep the car for a few more years. Basically I don't want to worry if I put my foot down.

 

Is that ur drivers side? Cuz the chain is on ur passenger side

 

Yea this was from the driver side. I'll check tomorrow how loud it is from the other side

 

Check some other stuff before you jump to the timing chain conclusion.

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ing-chain.html

 

get closer on the pass side and try narrowing this down...could be as simple as your idler pulley bearing going out, maybe alternator. does it change under load?

 

You say that is from driver side how you know, it's not your input shaft bearing

 

This is where a mechanic's stethoscope is very handy (I paid 8 bucks for mine) to localize where the sound is coming from.If you have a long screwdriver or other metal extension or tool touch the engine or tranny at different locations and place your ear against the other end to narrow down where the sound is coming from. It could well be your timing chain (ie worn guides) in which case there are access points to inspect...replacement of the guides/tensioners is a pita because of restricted space but doable.

 

So I did some investigating today. The sound seems to be loudest in the transmission shift linkage area, drivers side, near the firewall, closer to the bottom of the engine. I had suspected it was related to rpm but today for the first time it seemed to stop for 1/2 a second and then continue intermittently, which makes me believe it isn't related to revs but maybe just the vibration at idle is causing it. I don't have a stethoscope but I can try the screwdriver trick to try and locate it.

I did have the bank 1 manifold replaced about a year ago due to a similar noise but I don't believe this is a manifold noise. I doubt at this point that its anything serious but its very annoying and I'd like to nail down the source.

If anyone has any thoughts on what to check that would be helpful.

 

^+1 Excellent advice.


It really sounds like bad bearings. Maybe the tensioner pully, alternator, compressor, etc.


Also could be the bearings in the power steering pump.


You might try removing the serpentine belt and starting the car. This will eliminate the abovementioned bearings.....well except for the power steering.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

Quick update, I noticed today that the noise goes away after a few seconds of having the clutch in, which makes sense if its coming from the transmission area. Need to get it looked at because I don't really have the tools or know how to figure out what it is.

 

So you have a manual transmission, I don't recall you specifying that in your initial post....important detail. You have a bearing issue,my guess is throwout bearing. Get it checked unless you have the facilities and knowledge to pull your transmission yourself.