2001 Pathfinder Noise

We have a 2001 Pathfinder 4x4 with 5 speed manual and 27000 miles on it. Lately it has begun making a rattling "soft" pinging noise when acclerating from about 2500rpm on up. I'm not sure if/when the noise stops, because general engine and road noise overwhelms it by 4000 rpm or so. The noise intensifies when accelerating, and if I coast down from 3000rpm or so it's gone. The dealership has looked it over once and been unable to find the problem, but the noise has gotten louder since then.

I can think of exhaust leaks, valve-train problems, transmission/transfer case problems, and am open to other ideas on this.

Also, the truck uses a quart of oil in as little as 2000 miles. Is this typical of what other owners with the 3.5l engine have encountered?

Have you been able to pinpoint the general location of the sound? ie engine top / lower end. Also.. is speed a factor? Or is it just the rpm?

RPM appears to be the factor here, as well as engine load; accelerating in any gear from 2500rpm on up causes the noise, but cruising at a steady 3000 in 2nd or 3rd, for instance, usually doesn't cause the noise. Location is devilishly hard to pinpoint, because I can't seem to reproduce the noise while the truck is at rest. I'm just trusting my ears while moving down the road to say it's from the front end, but could be anywhere from the engine to the gearbox; at this point I can't be more precise, but I'll try to figure it out with someone else driving and see if that helps. Thanks.

Since the noise is only being heard while the vehical is in motion I agree its quite difficult to pin point the location. I wonder if you could ask the mechanic at the dealership to go for a short drive with you so you can demonstrate the sound for him. Perhaps that will assist them with locating the problem. Im not sure if this sorta thing is allowed at dealerships since I have not had a concern like this before. Might want to give it a shot tho.

I have 96 pathfinder ...and I have the same rattle noise between 2500 and 3200 rmp ....from what i was told ... the pathfinders skidplates are poorly tact welded and they often break loose and cause this rattle noise . so i just had a mechanic re attach it and there has been no more noise ...hope this helps

I am not a mechanic nor do I own a pathfinder, although I want to get one. I would say, just a simple solution, this will be a trial and error thing. What kind of gas are you using? Try using premium gas. If you are already using premium gas then I dont have any other ideas.

Leo

I have a 98 pathy with the exact same problem- I was told it was probably the heat shields as well, but the mechanic took all of them off and the noise was still there- we put them back on and the sound hadn't changed at all. mine starts around 2200 and ends around 3000. Sounds like a diesel engine. If anyone figures this out, I'd love to hear about it.

I have a 98 pathy with the exact same problem- I was told it was probably the heat shields as well, but the mechanic took all of them off and the noise was still there- we put them back on and the sound hadn't changed at all. mine starts around 2200 and ends around 3000. Sounds like a diesel engine. If anyone figures this out, I'd love to hear about it.
I hear the same rattling noise, although I know the location from where I am getting this noise. I have a 95 pathfinder and have about 76k miles on it. This noise comes from under the back of the driver seat. This happens when I accelerate and I have not been able to figure out why. I am planning to take it to a mechanic soon. I guess its got sthg to do with the transmission. I get this noise even when I stall the vehicle and accelerate.

i have a 97 pathfinder SE and i too had a rattle witch turned out to be the rusty heat shields wrapped around the muffler i tor it off and it was gone ...but there was another noise kinda like a knock and ping gurgle when i accelerate rapidly i use the highest octaine gas and use injector cleaners regularly i cant figure out why its making this new deasoling sound