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Nissan Altima Engine Rattle

118 messages,  Last post on Oct 10, 2010 at 8:50 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 13

#95 of 118 Nissan Altima Engine Rattle by rayval

Oct 18, 2009 (6:35 am)

Hi,
To answer your question, there is no fix for this problem, it has to do with a bad engine casting. I bought an 09 Altima in October 2009 and when it reached 4,000kms it started making a knocking noise on cold mornings. The noise got to be so bad during the winter that the car sounded like it had a diesel engine. I tried changing the oil to synthetic, adding additives, having the heat shield checked and just about anything you can think of without success. I started a long battle with Nissan Canada and finally got them to replace the engine at 15,000kms. Needless to say that "I was happier than a pig in ????", I'm sure you know what I mean. Well, my joy did not last very long, after 4,000kms on the new engine the noise returned ( 10C temperature). I was not prepared to go through a second battle so I traded ( at some loss, of course) the Altima for a Maxima. I am now back to being a happy pig with $10,000 less in my pocket. You are lucky, being in Canada, as you have some remedy. I suggest you check out the following link :http://camvap.ca/ , or you can always choose to live with a diesel sounding Altima. If you decide to keep the car you may want to invest in an oil pan warmer, it is a pad that sticks to the bottom of the oil pan to heat the engine oil and reduce the noise. Good Luck! Ray

#97 of 118 Nissan Altima Engine Rattle by rayval

Oct 18, 2009 (1:54 pm)

I joined this discussion in the hopes of providing valuable information on the problem that I experienced with my Nissan Altima, not to be judged on decisions that I have made to resolve the problem. Although I still have information that could be of use to other owners of Nissan Altima, I will no longer be posting to this site. Good Luck everyone.
Rayval

#98 of 118 Re: Nissan Altima Engine Rattle [rayval] by rondhol

Dec 08, 2009 (10:47 am)

Replying to: rayval (Oct 18, 2009 1:54 pm)
yeah, vq35de doesn't have that dieseling noise. Nissan needs to revise valve lifter design that shrunk after few thousand miles. QR25DE owners have to live with this diesel noise especially during the winter. Nothing we can do except wasting more money and time.

#99 of 118 Re: Nissan Altima Engine Rattle [rondhol] by cpospish

Dec 08, 2009 (11:53 am)

Replying to: rondhol (Dec 08, 2009 10:47 am)
My skin has gotten thicker due to the cold weather in Canada, not thinner. The oil pan warmer sounds like a reasonable work around...I guess...thanks for the suggestion. Lighten up though....it makes life a heck of a lot easier.

#100 of 118 Re: Nissan Altima Engine Rattle [rondhol] by seatown1

Dec 19, 2009 (11:30 am)

Replying to: rondhol (Dec 08, 2009 10:47 am)
Ronhol, we're approaching end of warranty, do you know if this issue has long term ramifications for the QR25DE(I'm assuming thats the engine model)?
 
Our service center is refusing to do anything about this. This is our 4th Nissan we have purchased, and this will be the absolute last if they refuse to do something about what appears to be a very serious problem.
 
I'm worried that our car is just a couple of years away from its engine failing.
 
I have always been the type to let things go, but I am UTTERLY disappointed in the response from our dealer along with what seems to be the company line from Nissan itself in this situation, it almost seems like cause for a class action if they refuse to address it in a recall of some sort.

#101 of 118 Re: Altima 2.5 Engine Rattle on Start and Warmup [j3flyer] by bsnelgrove

Jan 30, 2010 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: j3flyer (Oct 02, 2007 5:01 am)
I have an 08 Altima and agree with you the engine sounds very much like a diesel and too have been told this is normal. There is just no way this can be normal. On top of this I have had the AC compressor replaced, one front strut, and have just had the transmission replace. Have called Nissan Corp and this was a waste of time.
 
My car has been to the dealership 4 times now to have what sounds like a tire rubbing in front end fixed and they still cannot find the problem.
 
I will never buy another Nissan.

#102 of 118 Something that helps by g35guy4

Mar 21, 2010 (12:16 pm)

I had a 2005 G35 Coupe and noticed the same thing as all you guys!!!! Some subtle, engine noise/rattle at low rpm, low load around 2000 rpm under acceleration and thought it was engine pinging or knock. Then I started having the issue at start up either when it was cold or mostly if the car had sat for a few days without running. Took to the dealer and of course they played dumb and didn't hear anything. Talked to a buddy of mine who knows motors really well...he knew right away it was a lifter issue when we talked about the start up rattling. Our theory was that the oil wasn't making it up into the lifters or had all drained down till they were dry after a few days so that caused all the noise. Here's what worked pretty good to at least solve the start up issue: If I hadn't started it in a few days I would use a process to pump up the lifters with oil before I actually started it up. Like at the oil change places where they can turn the motor over without starting....
Usually the vehicles have a mechanism that will not allow them to start if the throttle is put all the way to the floor upon start up....So I would mat the throttle and turn it over a couple times without starting it up. Then when I actually did start it up there was no rattle because the lifters have oil in them. Try that. I'm in California so not sure about how it would work with really cold oil in low temperatures....that makes the oil thicker and even harder to pump up the lifters...
 
Good luck.

#103 of 118 2010 Nissan Altima S CVT by filmtheory

Mar 24, 2010 (3:29 pm)

My transmission has been doing odd things - revving at higher RPMs, and it drives kinda jerky around 35 mph. Not impressive for a new car. Dealership people said this is how Nissan designed their CVT transmissions - it's a design flaw, if you ask me. Kinda sucks. Don't know if I'll keep this car for more than a year. Buyer beware.

#104 of 118 Re: 2010 Nissan Altima S CVT [filmtheory] by motonation

Mar 24, 2010 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: filmtheory (Mar 24, 2010 3:29 pm)
This is in response to your post above, and your post in the other thread "Prices paid & buying experience".
 
First of all, the engine revving...that IS how the CVT is designed. Especially when pushed hard, a CVT in no way behaves like a "regular" automatic transmission. Yes, it revs, and yes, its normal. Most people who don't understand the technical side of CVT operation think its "slipping" and experiencing abnormal operation. Not true. It isn't. Not only does it rev in a unique fashion, Nissan has also programmed it to provide a small amount of engine braking when you take your foot off the gas - much more engine braking than any normal automatic transmission I've driven.
 
Also, the jerky operation? Maybe, I obviously haven't driven your car, so I can't say. Mine is smooth, and compared to the 4-spd regular automatic in my other car, this transmission is silky smooth. I don't consider the 900RPM drop-off between shifts "smooth" as the engine in my other car "lugs" itself back up into the stronger part of its torque curve via its automatic transmission.
 
Nevertheless, I think this is a great application for a CVT - a plain vanilla family sedan. Put a CVT in a sports car, and I'd scream bloody murder.
 
Go enjoy your Altima, and remember - the CVT is now warranted for 10yrs or 120k miles.

Messages Page 11 of 13

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