My '02 Maxima seems to rev alot higher than anything I've ever started before (only for the 1-1.5 seconds after I turn the key) The part of this issue that perplexes me is that there is a rattling sound at the end of that rev. The sound seems like it's coming from the top of the motor and not where I first assumed it was coming from(exhaust shield). I've taken this car to my Nissan dealer twice. The first time they reprogrammed the computer and cleaned the fuel system. It did the same thing when I brought it home. I took it back and they said it could possibly be the fact that I had a non-Nissan oil filter in it. They said that the Nissan filter has some kind of valve in it that would do a better job of keeping the oil pressure up at restarts. As far as I know, all oil filters have this valve. Anybody have any suggestions? thanks

Not all oil filters have that valve, the cheaper ones usually don't. I highly recommend using a Nissan filter or a higher end one like a Wix, I know for sure those have the valves in them.

That definitely sounds like the issue with there being slight valve noise on startup. I'd give the Nissan filter a try for a while, see if the noise goes away. If it doesn't then there's definitely some other issue, but I'm pretty confident that will solve it.

What kind of filter are you currently using?

I just got the car a couple of weeks ago at a dealer about an hour away from me (non-nissan) so I'm not really sure what they slapped on there. We'll see on Friday when I pick the car up!!!! Thanks

downforceus wrote:My '02 Maxima seems to rev alot higher than anything I've ever started before (only for the 1-1.5 seconds after I turn the key) The part of this issue that perplexes me is that there is a rattling sound at the end of that rev. The sound seems like it's coming from the top of the motor and not where I first assumed it was coming from(exhaust shield). I've taken this car to my Nissan dealer twice. The first time they reprogrammed the computer and cleaned the fuel system. It did the same thing when I brought it home. I took it back and they said it could possibly be the fact that I had a non-Nissan oil filter in it. They said that the Nissan filter has some kind of valve in it that would do a better job of keeping the oil pressure up at restarts. As far as I know, all oil filters have this valve. Anybody have any suggestions? thanks

If I were you I would consider this rattling noise normal. We have Variable Valve Timing and a timing chain, and when the engine is started cold, the VTC sprockets are not properly lubricated, thus making a rattling noise. There's a TSB out for it which entails replacing these VTC sprockets and I had it done but the noise came back in about a month...just deal with it. It's not harming anything, it's just a slight annoyance. And it revs to around 1500 to build oil pressure...again, it's completely normal for the FWD VQ35

My friend had this problem and it turned out that he didn't push his dip stick fully down.... Is yours fully down?!

Yeah, chain rattle is normal with the 2k2-2k3 Maxima motor. I would not worry about the noise at this point.

thanks alot everyone, I'll sleep alot better tonight.

Uh oh... hopefully we don't have another VE...

Just kidding, just kidding!

mtcookson wrote:Uh oh... hopefully we don't have another VE...

Just kidding, just kidding!

I'm thinking sooner or later the VTCs are gonna start clacking like the VEs! Only time will tell!

mtcookson wrote:Not all oil filters have that valve, the cheaper ones usually don't. I highly recommend using a Nissan filter or a higher end one like a Wix, I know for sure those have the valves in them.

Agree on that. I also prefer wix. I had to change to nissan oil filter after my dealer noticed the same problem.

LA02MAX wrote:
I'm thinking sooner or later the VTCs are gonna start clacking like the VEs! Only time will tell!

117k miles and mine is fine thus far....

audtatious wrote:117k miles and mine is fine thus far....

I'm thinking it has much to do with wear and tear over time, though...as you know, a 1994 model year car with 50k usually doesn't run as well as a 2004 model year with the same amount of mileage...Let's hope I'm wrong because it sure is annoying, but timing chain + VTCs...well we'll see....

have the same problem with my 2000 maxima its your timing chain that needs to be replaced and also just change your water pump at the same time and the sound will be gone before you know it

bk00maxse wrote:have the same problem with my 2000 maxima its your timing chain that needs to be replaced and also just change your water pump at the same time and the sound will be gone before you know it

You have a different engine. No VTCs. His problem is as described above.

My mom's 2003 Maxima & my 2003 I35 does the same rattle noise @ start-up only when it's cold out but car runs fine....i've also heard of other cars besides nissan's doing the same