Chattering noise under load!

[Swanji]

Hello everyone,

First I want to mention I've searched the Pathfinder and Xterra forums for this issue, but I couldn't find anything quite like my problem. I also have been googling this problem for a couple hours now.

When accelerating in any gear, I hear a chattering sound coming from the engine bay. It only happens under load. Only happens when accelerating. Parked and not in gear, I can rev then engine as much as I want and there is no chattering.

I have checked the heat shields. They are solid. No noise or movement. I have scanned for codes, there are none. I am running 93 octane gasoline.

The car has been making this noise for 60K miles. That probably means there's nothing to worry about but it's freaking annoying and I want to get rid of it.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

[atraudes]

The fact you only get it in drive is just bizarre. Could you post a video so we could hear the noise and the conditions while it's happening?

[Swanji]

The fact you only get it in drive is just bizarre. Could you post a video so we could hear the noise and the conditions while it's happening?

Tell me about it!

I'll try to capture the sound it's making but with all the ambient noise in the cabin I'm not confident the mic in my phone will pick up the problem sound.

[nalz]

Are you sure it is not spark knock/detonation, instead of a mechanical problem?

[Swanji]

Are you sure it is not spark knock/detonation, instead of a mechanical problem?

If that were the case it would do it all the time. But like I said, I'm running 93 octane and it only does it when accelerating.