cold mornings = loud clacking

[nmaiorin]

Hi guys/gals

I have an 08 Versa and this is the first winter we have driven it in. It is starting to get chilly in the morning and during the first 10-20 mins of driving the engine seems very loud, lots of clacking and clicking - the oil and filter was just changed a few hundred kms ago, I don't think it is the filter or anything oil related.
The noise reminds me of a rav4 we had - this car had a loud piston slap issue - does anybody know if the versa has some piston / valve train issues in the cold.
The scary thing is, it is not that cold yet - and this nissan sounds like a diesel - what will it sound like at -30c?

Anyway - just thought I would ask around.

[Milkmaster]

My 07 Versa sounds the same for the first few minutes when it is cold. It stops about the same time as the cold engine indicator goes off. Hasn't been a problem.

[Mikiee]

Are you using the recommended 5W-30 oil? If you are using a thinner oil such as 0W-20 or 30 it might cause a noisier engine. Also, some people complain that Mobil 1 causes their engines (not just Nissan) to be louder and when they switch brands the noise goes away. Try a diff brand oil the next change and see if that helps.

[MSCOFF]

I had '97 Ford Ranger. I had the noise on cold mornings for about 1 minute until I switched from Fram oil filters to NAPA or Motocraft oiol filters. Something about the by-pass valve in the lousy Fram filters. Do a search and this issue will show up. Good luck. keep us posted. Mark S

[Mikiee]

I had '97 Ford Ranger. I had the noise on cold mornings for about 1 minute until I switched from Fram oil filters to NAPA or Motocraft oiol filters. Something about the by-pass valve in the lousy Fram filters. Do a search and this issue will show up. Good luck. keep us posted. Mark S

Good point about filters. Maybe go back to the OEM filter and see if that cures the problem.

[MTLPhil]

I have a 2007 Versa with a new replacement engine from dealership. It has 30000k on it and it is starting to do the same thing. The reason it was replaced. When it is cold especially sounds like a lifter. It calms down after it warms up but a certain RPM (low) and torque it will make that same lifter noise. Changed oil every 5k used synthetic on the first engine did not make any difference. Good luck getting Nissan to admit there is a problem.

[WaVersa]

Hi guys/gals

I have an 08 Versa and this is the first winter we have driven it in. It is starting to get chilly in the morning and during the first 10-20 mins of driving the engine seems very loud, lots of clacking and clicking - the oil and filter was just changed a few hundred kms ago, I don't think it is the filter or anything oil related.
The noise reminds me of a rav4 we had - this car had a loud piston slap issue - does anybody know if the versa has some piston / valve train issues in the cold.
The scary thing is, it is not that cold yet - and this nissan sounds like a diesel - what will it sound like at -30c?

Anyway - just thought I would ask around.

I have the exact issue (Versa SL 2008 with 27150 KM). The engine is noisy for about 10-15 minutes when the weather is cold, I still have this noise when the blue temperature light is OFF. The oil change are done at the dealer, so OEM oil and filter. I did the oil change myself once with Mobil 1 synthetic with OEM filter... same noise. If the Engine dies, hopefully the car will be still under warranty.

[nmaiorin]

Hi guys

This noise is not from the filter - I have tried 3 different brands including the OEM, all with the same result. I always use 5w-30 syn oil year round.
I believe this noise is standard textbook piston slap - just google the term to get a definition, for those that don't know.
I am only getting the noise when the temp is cold or below 5c - the colder the outside temp the louder the noise. It will go away after 10-20 minutes of driving.
I have experienced piston slap on other engines however, this 08 versa is by far the worst/loudest I have ever herd.
I have 62,000kms on the engine - many people have reported issues and noises from as early as 11,000kms around the internet - so I guess it is something us Nissan drivers will have to get used to.

thanks for the input...

[kvg]

It's the lifters, all mr18de versas do that. I live in Calgary and even in -30 its not much louder.
Don't worry your cars fine.

[led hed]

there are no hydralic lifters in this engine, (hence the noise) it's just a noisy valvetrain upon cold start-ups, my spec-v did the same thing. a common nissan engine issue, just don't rev the snot out of it when it's cold or you will break something. < 3000rpm until she's warmed up.

[BlackMetal]

Hi guys

This noise is not from the filter - I have tried 3 different brands including the OEM, all with the same result. I always use 5w-30 syn oil year round.
I believe this noise is standard textbook piston slap - just google the term to get a definition, for those that don't know.
I am only getting the noise when the temp is cold or below 5c - the colder the outside temp the louder the noise. It will go away after 10-20 minutes of driving.
I have experienced piston slap on other engines however, this 08 versa is by far the worst/loudest I have ever herd.
I have 62,000kms on the engine - many people have reported issues and noises from as early as 11,000kms around the internet - so I guess it is something us Nissan drivers will have to get used to.

thanks for the input...

I`m going to respectfully disagree here. Our 09 1.8L versa is quiet. Although it is still at a young age of 13K, I`ve never experienced start up knock or valve train noises that are normal in this car as of yet. I have used OEM, Wix, Purolator, and Hastings oil filters, all good. I do have a few Fram on the shelf, these will be fine IF you use them for the drain interval they were meant for. I`m am currently waiting to try filters made by MANN.

I have to respectfully say that the 2.5L in my Altima has to be the loudest I`ve heard to date. and I cant help but think what a POS and it is nerve racking. I do believe it is piston slap as in loose clearance or collapsed skirt from past experiences rebuilding engines. sounds like Forged pistons set loose. My Yamaha 1300 2 stroke is quieter. I am not certain what it is as the car only has 15K on it. The hollow slap sound is def a lot louder when the temps drop into the 20s and eventually dies down some as the motor warms, but the noise is always there... always there...
someone mentioned that synthetics produce louder noises. mmm I don`t think soo, I`ve been using synthetics for years, mostly Amsoil, but have mobil one currently in the car...

here is a tip: Motocraft 5W30 oil is a synth blend and very good at a decent price when found at walmart.

engine-noise-normal-t515939.html

[FHoffert]

This is such an old chain that noone will probably see this, but after reading a number of these engine noice chains, my 2007 Versa SL has had PISTON SLAP, and that is what virtually all these poor souls are experiencing with their noisy engines, nothing else. These engines are known for piston slap, and Nissan won't officially admit it, but all that have the slapping were most likely make in the Mexico plant and with the ambient temps there being significantly warmer that up North, I suspect the engineering did not accomodate adequately for that, and at least one maybe more cylinders are being ceated out of functional spec, leaving a little too much room in the cylinder allowing the piston to get a little sideways and produce the slap. Mine has been doing it since I bought it (now have 90K miles and no performance degredation - YET) though I didn't notice it until the first winter. I did a lot of research and then took it to the dealer and insisted a senior technician listen to the engine with me and take a ride with me to listen to the clacking/slapping, and after significant disucssion, he finally relented and said he understood what I was saying but that Nissan would never admit there was an issue. The official, albeit totally nonsensicle corporate line was, they all do that and it is normal. Well, anyone with room temperature IQ knows it is NOT NORMAL, it is an engineering screw up, and at least in my case, it has not yet resulted in any problem other than the stress of listening to the slapping and worry it creates waiting for the problem to cause a failure.