2002 QX4 rattling noise when engine is cold

[Israelpr]

My QX4 makes a small (minor) rattling sound when the engine is cold (when I pull out of the drive way) and travel for a few minutes. Then it goes away. Any idea what the problem may be?

[Towncivilian]

What brand of oil filter are you using?

[Israelpr]

I'm using a Fram. The noise started after I changed the oil and filter.

[Towncivilian]

Do not use Fram unless it's an XtendedGuard. For the price you pay for a Fram filter, you can get something with significantly better construction and more filtering media. I wouldn't be using a Fram, especially on something as luxury as a QX4. Look at one cut open, and compare to a Nissan "shorty" or a Purolator PureONE PL14610 from my Pathfinder. Which one would you pick to run now?

Was this noise present with your previous oil filter? If not, change your filter to something decent (Nissan OEM, Purolator Classic or PureONE, even a SuperTech 7317 if you're tight on cash, but no other SuperTech filters as they use a nylon cage for inner support and fiber end caps, neither of which are good for longevity and structure of the oil filter - see examples) and the noise should go away.

[Israelpr]

Towncivilian - Thanks a million, I'll replace the filter for thing tomorrow morning and will let you know the results.

[yeldogt]

Are you sure it is the motor making this noise and not something like one of the heat shields of the exhaust ?

When you changed the oil did you use a different weight? -- how many miles on the motor?

Fram filters are all marketing -- they always fall below average in construction -- but they should not cause any noise?

BTW --You can get the factory filters for $7.00 from one of the online dealers - they are very well made.

[Towncivilian]

I have heard of Fram filters causing startup rattle, among other noises. The cheapest thing to try to fix this is change the oil filter, then look into other possibilities. Oil weight, and to a lesser extent, oil brand, can have an affect as well.

The OEM filters are indeed constructed quite well, but I think Purolator PureONEs are better value for the money as their efficiency ratings are publicized, and they are constructed with metal end caps (not necessarily an issue, but personal preference - and all higher capacity/extended drain oil filters are built with metal end caps - that says something!). Regarding efficiency, I believe the PL14610 and PL14612 (the former spec'd for our vehicle, and the latter spec'd for smaller Nissan engines and is smaller in length, but otherwise identical in terms of bypass PSI, etc) are rated at 99.9% at 40 microns instead of the 99.9% at 20 micron thats the rest of the PureONE series is. I have heard of people using PL14459s on Altimas for the better efficiency rating, but the outer diameter gasket size and bypass PSI is slightly different. As to what consequences that lower efficiency rating entails, I'm not one to guess. But I digress - if you would like to discuss the finer points of oil filters, you can start a new topic.

[yeldogt]

If the OP spoke of the sound being a few seconds -- I would think valve cam noise -- but he says it is longer than that. That is why I was thinking oil weight if it was indeed the engine.

I have a couple of the Nissan filters for the Path -- I will look at the end caps .....-- but I remember them being metal with a contrasting colored bypass valve. The Nissan filters are heavier than many of the aftermarket filters and obviously meet OE specifications. The Japanese made replacement parts are normally of high quality -- thats not to say that another brand may not filter out smaller particles. I place an order for parts once or twice a year depending on need with Pinnacle and I always get a couple of filters and other normal maintenance parts along with any repair items I am getting -- the cost of the OE is very reasonable and it is nice stuff.

If I did not use my car often and time was going to dictate my oil changes -- I would not use a Fram filter. I would not bet on the construction holding up -- especially if pushing the two year synthetic oil recommendation. The Fram are paper and glue

[thaomyt]

my Qx4 has this noise too. Its coming from the exhaust heat shield. I got one the the clamps fell off

[Israelpr]

Towncivilian-I replaced the oil filter with a PureOne and bingo...no more noise. Again, thanks for the intel.

[Towncivilian]

You're welcome! I'm glad replacing the oil filter fixed your issue. Out of curiosity, which brand and weight of oil are you running, and where are you located?

[Israelpr]

I use Penzoil (Yellow bottle) 5W30 (the 5W30 is what the QX4 manual recommends). Don't know what the weight is unless 5W30 answers the question. I'm out of Orlando, Florida.

[Towncivilian]

Sounds good to me, it's an excellent conventional oil. 5W30 is indeed the weight (or "grade") of oil used. Stick with it and a decent filter and you won't have issues.

Small world - I live in Palm City, FL.

[yeldogt]

Interesting -- I wonder what is causing the noise. Hopefully something in the filter -- like the valve ticking.

This is not something that I have ever encountered.

[Towncivilian]

Interesting -- I wonder what is causing the noise. Hopefully something in the filter -- like the valve ticking.

This is not something that I have ever encountered.

It could be a failure of the anti-drainback valve (ADBV) of some sort; either it's not sealing properly and not holding oil causing dry starts (in which the noise should dissipate once oil pressure becomes normal for idle within several seconds; likely the oil pressure warning lamp would illuminate until this happens - but the filter is at an angle where oil should stay in the filter on our engines, so this doesn't seem too plausible to me), or perhaps the bypass valve, which might be part of the ADBV in a Fram filter, is rattling as you said. It might have just been a failure of the filter the OP used, not caused by Fram filters in general, but I believe both you and I agree that Fram filters (save for the XtendedGuard line) are ones to avoid, at least for their horrible value if nothing else.

[thaomyt]

I'm using the Fram filters on my qx4 for the last 10 yrs without a problem.

[Towncivilian]

As I said, there is nothing generally wrong with Fram filters except for the horrible value for what you pay for the ExtraGuard/ToughGuard/High Mileage filters (relative lack of media, lousy construction). Many, many vehicles run them without issue. The OP's noise issue was just a single failure, probably a manufacturing defect.

[yeldogt]

The problem with Fram is that they are marketed as being the best -- something special -- and in reality are at the bottom of almost everybody's filter evaluation list. So you are paying a premium for a product that is not even as good as the no-name by another manufacturer siting next to it. That said --- modern engines are built better and burn cleaner then ever before -- plus the oil is better. So what are you filtering -- less than years ago . The filters don't have to be as good -- especially if you change the oil too soon ... like every 3k.


I would never buy a Fram filter -- especially when I can get the high quality OE filter for $6.50. Some of the dealers even have specials on the no name Japanese filters that Nissan sells -- I have seen them on special for $3.00 .... these are the ones they use at many dealerships. Same goes for Fram air filters. OE made in Japan is about $14 --- Fram made in Mexico is $16 -- the OE is better and cheaper.

[Israelpr]

False alarm. Changing the oil filter did not work. Noise came back. I added a heavier oil (10W30 instead of 5W30) but noise persists. I was told to hit the catalytic converter (passenger side where I hear the noise) with a rubber hammer to see if it made noise similar to the one I was hearing. I hammered the cat conv and it produced the exact noise I am referring to. It appears that the "honey comb" inside the cat conv "broke down" generating this noise. I'm in the process now of ordering a new cat conv to resolve the problem. I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome. Thanks to all you guys.

[Towncivilian]

Make sure you don't get some crappy universal cat since these won't pass emissions and even a failed OEM cat is more efficient than a $50 universal one.

Your cat failure is strange. There's a potential issue with power valve screws falling out on our VQ35DE engines, which could have caused a cat failure or other damage. It's not a common issue, but it's a possibility. If you're so inclined, you can remove the upper intake manifold collector and check the tightness of the screws, make sure they're all there, and apply red (permanent) threadlocker on them to ensure they won't fall out. See this thread for more information and a guide with pictures.