starting rattle

[hank heavens]

i remember before I got my chains replaced at around 90k, i would get a rattle for a long time after a cold start. now at 108k i hear that rattle at the start again, but for only 1/2 a second. Is this a problem with the chain tension control or is it something else?

[BP2K2Max]

could be. my car has the same problem as did my 95 maxima. if you figure it out post it here please. i know it's nothing detrimental to your cars functionality.

[hank heavens]

what's the cheapest way to figure this one out? (it's a 95)

[bk2kmax]

Originally Posted by hank heavens

i remember before I got my chains replaced at around 90k, i would get a rattle for a long time after a cold start. now at 108k i hear that rattle at the start again, but for only 1/2 a second. Is this a problem with the chain tension control or is it something else?

It could be a problem with the ignition coils or worse, it could be a rattle from somewhere on the bottom end of your engine which is worse.

If the rattle is coming from the top then it is more than likely the coils, if it is coming from the bottom end then more than likely it is something that is going to cost and arm and a leg, maybe even a whole new engine.

[BP2K2Max]

it sounds like unlibricated metal making contact. and it goes away almost instantly. the car feels the same, steady idle, no shuddering.

[hank heavens]

i'm thinking it might be the chains, but i'll double check on the coils. what's the cheapest way to get the coils checked?

[bk2kmax]

Originally Posted by hank heavens

i'm thinking it might be the chains, but i'll double check on the coils. what's the cheapest way to get the coils checked?

Take it to a qualified Nissan mechanic, in most cases they can just listen to your car and tell you if it is coming from the top of the engine (maybe coils or catalytic converter leak) or bottom end, possibly rod, piston or other.

Usually they just listen to your car if you ask them to come out and tell you what they think, it's free.

[hank heavens]

hmm, well, I might not get the freebie, cuz it has to be on a cold start. so i'm guessing I'll leave it to them.

[blasian_man]

is it more like a quick tick-tick-tick? i think my dad said is was something getting aligned and it was no problem.

[walter hamlin]

Our car was making a rattle at about 2k rpm. Was told by a mechanic that it was piston slap. Had the chain checked but it was o.k. Since that time, it would make a loud clacking sound when first started and I would add more oil and it would go away. It would always have some oil in it however. Thursday it made the clacking, rattling again. I had it checked by two mechanis and it turned out to be the chain tensioner was loose not letting the chain stay tight. The tensioner operates on oil pressure from the engine. The mechanic said the motor needed rebuilding to bring the pressure up to push the tensioner against the chain. I looked at the problem with the mechanic. He wasn't really in a big favor of rebuilding the engine so I bought a new car yesterday.
Walter

[hank heavens]

well, i made an appointment to get everything checked.

I always use mobil 1 synthetic (i change it myself and check the oil level like a paranoid scitzo) and even do a zmax treatment every other year. I can still see through the old oil when i change it. i've heard the horror stories of valve jobs and do this to avoid it.

1. it sounds like the chain (heard that 1 before)
2. this engine is clean as a whistle.
3. it only rattles for a 1/2 second when started cold (sometimes it doesn't). that's exactly what happenned when the chains where going bad 20-30k miles ago.

tonight (when it's cold) I'm gonna have my buddy start the car and I'll have one hand on the top of the engine and one on the chain cover. I'll find out and post back here tonight.