2003 Infiniti M45 Noise [SOLVED - power steering tensioner loose]

[MSeries61996]

I just picked up an 03 M45, at 130,000 miles. Been driving it for about a month now with no issues. Just last week, it started making 3 noises on cold start.

1.) Intermittent whining noise. (Checked power steering fluid, is clean and full. Oil levels are clean and full as well, routine maintenance has been done)

2.) Intermittent rattle (goes away as more time passes with engine running. Bad timing chain/tensioners/guides?)

3.) An increasingly loud whine, when a little time passes after engine turns on from cold start.

I am not a mechanic, but I would prefer to get an exact diagnosis of the sound rather than pay the $2,340 that I was quoted at by Infiniti for the full timing kit replacement.

Here is a video of the noise.

https://youtu.be/E_ETAHwST6o

Any and all help is appreciated.

[cruzad3r]

is it a high pitch whining noise like a jet engine? if so, it could be a vacuum leak. to test that, you have to take out all engine cover, go grab a brake cleaner or carb cleaner and spray into the area that you're hearing the noise. if it drown out, then it's a leak.

my case was a gasket between the upper collector to the intake manifold.

[MSeries61996]

I don't think it's a vacuum leak, I posted a video to YouTube with the noise in the link below, you will hear it better when playing the audio off some form of stereo speaker rather than through the phone's speaker. The sound gets worse when the A/C is turned on, but the longer the engine is on the sound decreases and finally goes away. I am baffled!

https://youtu.be/E_ETAHwST6o

[EdBwoy]

Before you mentioned the AC deal, I was going to point toward the power steering pump and reservoir. From the video, it seemed louder around that area.

What were you doing when you opened the door - turning the steering wheel?
If not, and if the PS system has been tampered with, I'd try to bleed the system of air again. Wheels in the air, turn steering wheel lock to lock etc...

I'm thinking some bearings might be bad. Are you comfortable removing the belts and spinning the pulleys to eliminate those?
how-to-fix-squeaking-tensioner-pulley-t589191.html

[MSeries61996]

UPDATE:

So everything on the car is in pretty fantastic shape, but guess what the previous owners did?
While checking for the pulleys and tensioners for the winding/clattering noise after removing my belts, I found that the mounting points on my oil pan for my power steering auto tensioner were.... *drumroll*.... F***ing JB Welded! It caused premature wear on the pulley and was barely hanging on! Explains why it had no noise when I bought it! Luckily I have plenty of friends who are mechanically inclined and able to fix it, but now I have to get a new oil pan to repair this ghetto nonsense.
All I can say is thank god that I made it back from Glendale to Tucson! What a bunch of Schmucks! >:-(
Anyway, thanks for all your help guys! The forums and Online Service Manual got me the info I need!

[EdBwoy]

Wow! People, I tell ya! Gladly nothing unsafe happened during your trip; and thank you for the update.

Good luck with the oil pan (not too difficult on a y34). Have you considered the metal repair JB weld?