2011 M56x: Noises. Thoughts?

[Ilya]

So, I've finally gotten around to getting this videos off my phone. Have two noises which I'm not sure about.


Noise 1: "Whine" while car is cold. Only happens when I first start the car after it's sat for a while. Happens regardless of temp (in the summer too). Goes away after 15 seconds or so. Is this the timing chain issue discussed in this thread/post: 2012 m56 clicking and rattling



Noise 2: Ever since my fiasco with the LED lights in the interior, etc. and the dealer replacing the BCM and some other stuff, for which they had to remove my dashboard, it seems with the temperature plummeting my car has developed a 'creak' in the front somewhere (I think it's on the driver side). Steve (BlackCat), is this grounds for bringing it back as a related issue and not paying my $100 insurance deductible (that I already paid)?

"Creak" Video (you can hear it pretty frequently towards the end of the video - it's not phone crackle, that's the noise I hear from the dash)

[BlackCat81]

I couldn't figure out how to get the videos to play, but if it's a high pitched whine noise, it's more than likely chains. I have an M56 in the shop I'm doing chains on right now. Did they actually pull your dash? It doesn't need to come out to replace your BCM, unless there were other issues I don't know about. Remember, I always tell people to go to the store with a positive attitude. Don't go in raising hell about the noise being related to previous work, they'll be much less likely to help you. Simply mention it's been doing it since it was in last and ask if they'll waive your deductible. I can't tell you how many times I've decided to not help someone out on goodwill repairs because of they way they approached me when I was the service manager. A good attitude goes a really long way.

Edit; to really tell if it's chains, rev the motor while cold. If it gets louder with rpm, it's chains for sure.

[Ilya]

Here is the thread for the my electrical issue, and yes, pretty sure they pulled the dash:

Okay, I got the car back. All is well.

From what I was told (the paperwork I was given doesn't have the full breakdown), the following ended up being the issue:

- BCM was replaced
- Main dash harness was replaced
- A 'sub' harness was replaced
- They found one of the connectors to the CANBUS controller was melted/fried

All in all, if I didn't have warranty, this would have cost me $5,442. #$%*@*#$(@#$*@#$*(#$(*@#(@#$ INSANE!

I'm going to leave the footwells alone permanently and just do the other interior lights (which I had no issues with last time).

someone-help-i-keep-breaking-my-new-car ... r#p6679002

I get along with my service adviser Lisa, so I definitely won't make a stink.

Videos should just be a matter of hitting the play button...unless you're on a phone then it might not work. From a PC it should work. I'll have to try the cold rev, but I believe it does.

[flip4prez]

Would it bother the motor if the chain just broke on its own? Would you have to only replace the chains or replace the motor?

[Ilya]

IIRC, it depends on if the motor is an interference motor or non-interference...which I don't know the answer too. My moms was interference (Subaru Legacy) and when her timing chain tensioner broke it took the motor with it lol.

[BlackCat81]

Would it bother the motor if the chain just broke on its own? Would you have to only replace the chains or replace the motor?

The chains won't break, if they're making noise now the passenger side is stretched to the point it's rubbing the oil jet causing the noise. And for the sake of conversation, if it did break, it would be catastrophic. It's an interference motor.

[BlackCat81]

Here is the thread for the my electrical issue, and yes, pretty sure they pulled the dash:

Okay, I got the car back. All is well.

From what I was told (the paperwork I was given doesn't have the full breakdown), the following ended up being the issue:

- BCM was replaced
- Main dash harness was replaced
- A 'sub' harness was replaced
- They found one of the connectors to the CANBUS controller was melted/fried

All in all, if I didn't have warranty, this would have cost me $5,442. #$%*@*#$(@#$*@#$*(#$(*@#(@#$ INSANE!

I'm going to leave the footwells alone permanently and just do the other interior lights (which I had no issues with last time).

http://forums.nicoclub.com/someone-help-i-keep-breaking-my-new-car-t595581-30.html?hilit=breaking%20my%20car#p6679002

I get along with my service adviser Lisa, so I definitely won't make a stink.

Videos should just be a matter of hitting the play button...unless you're on a phone then it might not work. From a PC it should work. I'll have to try the cold rev, but I believe it does.

Ya I'm on my phone. I didn't know you had all that work done. The dash was definitely out. That stuff is expensive, the dash harness was probably $3000 alone. If I can be left alone long enough at work to get this M56 apart I'm doing chains on, I'll post some pictures of what is causing the noise. Pretty cool to see how the motors are timed, and I've never had a m56 apart. From the FSM, it's a bit different from the QX56 5.6.

[Ilya]

Yeah, a few of us here somehow shorted some wires trying to install LED bulbs in the footwells which is crazy...luckily I have warranty.

Did you get a chance to hear the video? Does it sound like the rubbing oil jet issue? My warranty expires in 12k or so (although I am considering extending it out to 100k which is an additional 18k on top of the existing warranty).

[BlackCat81]

Yeah, a few of us here somehow shorted some wires trying to install LED bulbs in the footwells which is crazy...luckily I have warranty.

Did you get a chance to hear the video? Does it sound like the rubbing oil jet issue? My warranty expires in 12k or so (although I am considering extending it out to 100k which is an additional 18k on top of the existing warranty).

No, haven't heard it. Without even hearing it, I'm pretty certain it's chains. There's not much else it could be.

[Ilya]

I'll tack it on to the list next time the car is at the dealer.

[Ilya]

So I got around to making a better video and am replacing the links in the original post. Here is the new video, posted on YouTube.

[spirod]

I have a 2011 M56S with the same noise at first start or if it has been sitting for some time. I bought the car in Aug. 2014 but did not notice the engine noise initially. I noticed the noise when the colder temperatures arrived (I'm in Montreal Quebec).

I sent Infiniti two video recordings. One can be found here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clmW_mlHPk0
If the link does not work, search 2011 Infiniti M56S Engine Noise

and Infiniti sent the following response :
"We are writing to you in reference to your concern surrounding a sound which you notice during the start-up of your vehicle, Infiniti M56 bearing Vehicle Identification Number.
As you are aware, a review of your observations was undertaken at the highest levels, involving our Resolution Team, dealership(s) and personnel from our Technical Division. The determination of said review was that the sound which you have noticed is a characteristic of the vehicle and that it is operating as designed."

I nevertheless purchased an extended warranty.

I believe that if it is the timing chain/oil jet issue, the noise would not go away. It would increase with engine revs.

[Ilya]

Unless because after it warms up something else happens which 'solves' the issue. Steve (BlackCat81) is an Infiniti tech, so I trust his opinion. I'm in the works of extending my warranty for another 24kmi or so...but if I don't and my timing chain grenades itself, I want to have this complaint on file so I can go after Infiniti saying they had the change to fix it but bypassed.

This is not normal...I'm actually mad that Infiniti would just blow it off like that.

[spirod]

I have been driving for over a year now with this noise and the car is operating like new. I would make sure to follow the oil change intervals mentioned in the manual because even with an extended warranty, Infiniti will try to get out of any warranty work if they believe the car was not properly maintained. I am doing 3 months or 6,000 km whichever comes first (usually the 3 months).

[Ilya]

I do 5kmi like clock work, with Mobil 1 synthetic. Everything is documented beyond belief (receipts, even wiper blade changes are logged lol).

[Larz]

I'm sure you looked into this, and I'm not sure if this is even a possibility, but that whine reminds me of a sound my fleetwood made. It sounded like low fluid but fluid was fine. Turned out the pump had to be replaced.

[CRV_33]

I honestly doubt its the chain that's causing that whining sound. My car does it as well, and I also suspected it was the chain. The chain was replaced and the sound is still present.

To me, it reminds me of the sound when you're power steering fluid is running low. It's too damn cold outside at the moment for me to walk into the garage and look under the hood.

[Ilya]

I'm sure you looked into this, and I'm not sure if this is even a possibility, but that whine reminds me of a sound my fleetwood made. It sounded like low fluid but fluid was fine. Turned out the pump had to be replaced.

I haven't looked into any fluids...I don't get any notchy steering or anything so I don't think it's power steering fluid.

Could it be the pulley's?

[BlackCat81]

I agree, after hearing the noise, it does not sound like the chains. The chains have a very specific noise that becomes high pitched with engine RPM. if you're looking to try and isolate it and don't have a mechanics stethoscope, try placing a long screwdriver on accessories and seeing if you can isolate it that way. Since I already have the M I'm working on partially disassembled, I'll try to get a video of the next car or truck that comes in needing them.

[Ilya]

Unfortunately it'll be tough to find...it lasts for 15 seconds and then I'd have to wait hours lol. So you don't think this is that major of an issue? If it's a pulley or something and that goes bad, it's a lot less work than a timing chain. My warranty is expiring soon...just want to make sure I'm not left with a $2k job soon.

[reggiebrown40]

I have the same whine as you guys. Lasts for 15 seconds on cold days and then goes away. Performance is not affected at all. I bought my car in May 2013 and it's been like this since day 1. I can't imagine it being a big deal if it goes on for almost 3 years with no performance issues. I had my belts replaced last year sot it's not the belts, but it could be a pulley. Bad pulley I can live with if it goes bad. But again, a bad pulley wouldn't be bad for 3 years. It would have died by now.

I bet none of the members in southern climates even have this issue.

[Ilya]

Interesting...IIRC this has been happening since I got the car too (at 40kmi) but I can't remember if it was happening in the summer. I wanna say no.

Agree on the pulley too...good point.

I asked some local gearheads on FB (some of these guys have built monster some crazy HP cars) and the message I'm pretty much getting is not to worry about it. It literally just might be how the VK56 operates.

EDIT: A local Infiniti employee who works at my dealer (lol) just posted on that FB group and said it's likely timing chain and that there is a TSB for this and to bring it on in. Trying to get the TSB # if possible.

[BlackCat81]

The 56 I just finished chains on makes the same noise for about 20 seconds and goes away. I think it has something to do with the VVT until it goes into closed loop operation. Definitely don't think it's chains, since this one has brand new ones and makes the same noise.

[Ilya]

Hmm...could be. Anyone else with an M56 have this noise?

[adeedpb]

I have a noise/change in the tone of the exhaust for the first 20 seconds on a cold startup. It isn't bad and not very loud but to me it sounds like chains dragging across the tensioner until the oil makes it to the jets and oils them. I made a recording of it in the engine bay and in the cabin; I will post it here shortly.

[adeedpb]

Here is the video of the startup. The change in exhaust tone is exactly when the other sound stops, hopefully the chain oil sound can be heard over the exhaust. I have 36k on the odometer.

https://youtu.be/IAnDmizlRb4

[Ilya]

That's different than my sound. Hmm.

[BlackCat81]

Here is the video of the startup. The change in exhaust tone is exactly when the other sound stops, hopefully the chain oil sound can be heard over the exhaust. I have 36k on the odometer.

https://youtu.be/IAnDmizlRb4

That's not "unoiled" chain noise. Your chains are being oiled via the sprayers immediately upon start up. The 5.6's are direct injected and rely on a high pressure fuel pump located just above the front of passenger side valve cover. I don't know for sure, but my thought is that during cold start up in open loop operation, the VVEL remains inactive, making the engine sound a bit odd. Once in closed loop, VVEL is active and operates normally. Even the non direct injected Infiniti motors make this noise during cold start. I think it's more prevelant on the 5.6 due to the high pressure fuel pump.

[Ilya]

More and more I read (from this forum and local guys) the more I think this is actually normal...I've begun to worry less about the noise.

[adeedpb]

Here is the video of the startup. The change in exhaust tone is exactly when the other sound stops, hopefully the chain oil sound can be heard over the exhaust. I have 36k on the odometer.

<a class="vglnk" href="https://youtu.be/IAnDmizlRb4[/quote" rel="nofollow"><span>https</span><span>://</span><span>youtu</span><span>.</span><span>be</span><span>/</span><span>IAnDmizlRb4</span><span>[/</span><span>quote</span></a>]

That's not "unoiled" chain noise. Your chains are being oiled via the sprayers immediately upon start up. The 5.6's are direct injected and rely on a high pressure fuel pump located just above the front of passenger side valve cover. I don't know for sure, but my thought is that during cold start up in open loop operation, the VVEL remains inactive, making the engine sound a bit odd. Once in closed loop, VVEL is active and operates normally. Even the non direct injected Infiniti motors make this noise during cold start. I think it's more prevelant on the 5.6 due to the high pressure fuel pump.

Thanks for clearing that up, good to know they are getting oiled up immediately.

Ilya yours definitely is pretty loud though, I would think just the noise alone would merit some investigation despite it being labeled "operating as normal"