So lately ive been hearing a rattle sound coming from under the hood of my maxima. I really didnt pay too much attention to it and brushed it off as just an annoying "car sound". After listening to it for awhile i decided to investigate and was actually kind of surprised at what was causing the sound. Believe it or not the plastic engine cover was making contact, on the left side (if facing the engine), with what appears to be a metal part of the engine assembly. I dont know the technical term for the part of the engine because i couldnt identify it. Just thought id pass this along if anyone else is hearing rattling sounds from under the hood.

 

Yes, the plastic engine cover if pushed down will strike the cam chain cover area. I also applied a small piece of plastic wiring loom cover on the edge of the engine cover.

I thought this might resolve a rattle noise I am getting on bumps,,,,it didn't.. but I guess the process of elimination has one less item to check off.

 

I was wondering if it has anything to do with over tightening the allen screws

 

the plastic engine cover has 'torque limiting inserts' installed, you see these as brass inserts in the 2 holes of the cover. These stop any excess torque from distorting the cover. A gorilla could strip the threads out of the intake manifold before any damage occurred to the engine cover.