Hey folks,

I created an account just to ask about a rattle I've had for the last couple weeks. Any help you can give is really appreciated!

The rattle comes from the passenger side of the engine bay and starts with any pressure on the gas and usually fades out around ~2500 RPM, though it will occasionally occur while idling, as well. It seems to stop after I've been driving for ~20 minutes or so.

It sounds EXACTLY like the rattle from this guy's 2003 Maxima.


Can anyone give some insight into what this is?

Thanks so much.

 

check your exhaust heat shields for starters

 

I have read a bit about the Maxima heat shields, but just from the forum posts and Youtube clips I've watched about them, I'm fairly certain that's not the issue here. However, I'll check it out to confirm.

I should have also mentioned that my oil light began flickering on and off around the same time this rattle started. I've checked my oil several times and it seems fine, though. It has been flickering more often, the last few days.

 

 

if youre getting a rattling and the oil light make sure the noise isnt coming from the timing cover area, sounds like maybe the guides then

 

So... good news and bad news.

I took my car in for an oil change yesterday to take care of the flickering oil light and try to rule out the heat shield. Well, good news... the rattling has stopped. I'm not sure why because the mechanic said he didn't change anything.

The bad news is that he showed me that 3 of my 4 motor mounts are completely shot. The only one still good is the trans motor mount.

Obviously, this has to be fixed but I'm REALLY hoping I can put it off for a few weeks because my budget was not at all ready for this kind of news.