Engine noise when engine is cold

[rochversa]

When my Versa SL engine is cold, it makes a loud noise that sounds like a valve lifter. The noise goes away when the engine is warmed up, but it is very pronounced and almost embarassing when the car is cold. I took the car to a dealer and they said the oil pressure was good and that this noise is symptomatic of this nissan engine.Is anyone else experiencing this type of noise?

[BBISHOPPCM]

This issue has been discussed to death. It is perfectly normal, and from my experience, has been a Nissan trait since at least the early 1980s. One thing you need to know; the MR18DE does not have hydraulic lifters; it uses a shim-type lifter that does make noise when cold, it's designed to allow for some lash when cold, so when the valve stem expands once warmed up, the noise should go away. I have been going 56,000 miles with a similar noise, and no problems yet.

[Jus14]

I also had that type of noise then switched to 87 octane from 93 and its very faint now even if you hear it at all....also if you have changed the oil make sure you did put 5w back in the oil pumps are weak on these engines.

[Red Devil]

When my Versa SL engine is cold, it makes a loud noise that sounds like a valve lifter. The noise goes away when the engine is warmed up, but it is very pronounced and almost embarassing when the car is cold. I took the car to a dealer and they said the oil pressure was good and that this noise is symptomatic of this nissan engine.Is anyone else experiencing this type of noise?

Could also be some slight piston slap. That's also usual for this engine.

[Knightro2]

Search Button...

It's a great thing

[Driving Instructor]

Get to used to it............

[silverarrow27]

Could be your oil.

[#1Tango]

Could be your oil.

i changed my oil and the knocking got a lot fainter. barley notice it now

[frankoV]

realistically, what do we expect from a sewing machine engine?

[Bubs daddy]

You asked this same question on 10-27-08:Quote »I have a 2007 versa sl..since it is getting cold where I live (Minnesota) I've started noticing a valve lifter type noise. When driving the car with the windows up, even when car is warmed up, the car sounds like a sewing machine. Is this a characteristic of the versa engine? Does anyone else think their engine is noisy?[/quote]You took it to the dealer and now you're asking it again?

I guess the yahoo and google search engines need more Versa problem query results to satisfy the Fit owners.

[silverarrow27]

i changed my oil and the knocking got a lot fainter. barley notice it now

Most of the time, it has to do with the viscosity of the oil you're using. Usually when it comes to valvetrain noises, oil is the first culprit; especially when it's normal valvetrain noises.

[fjwagner]

synthetic is your best friend in cold country. Dont have issues in Houston as we rarely have temps below 40. Synthetic can be run twice as long as dino oil also (7500 - 10000 miles). We had an older 1995 BMW that went from clatter to silent on colder mornings once we switched to synthetic.

[rochversa]

Just wanted to post an update...I left the car with the dealer and asked them to listen to it in the morning and if they could look me in the face and say 'this car engine is working and sounding as designed'...then I would not bother them again. When the service manager drove it in the morning he said something is not right with this engine. They consulted Nissan tech support, and after discussing some measurements and pressure testing (#3 cylinder had low pressure)....Nissan said they would replace the entire engine (everything except intake/outake manifolds)...the engine came in today and they will replace it (at no charge, car only has 26,000 miles on it) over the next two days. I've had a lot of cars and this one was too noisey...good for Nissan for standing behind their product.

[Red Devil]

Just wanted to post an update...I left the car with the dealer and asked them to listen to it in the morning and if they could look me in the face and say 'this car engine is working and sounding as designed'...then I would not bother them again. When the service manager drove it in the morning he said something is not right with this engine. They consulted Nissan tech support, and after discussing some measurements and pressure testing (#3 cylinder had low pressure)....Nissan said they would replace the entire engine (everything except intake/outake manifolds)...the engine came in today and they will replace it (at no charge, car only has 26,000 miles on it) over the next two days. I've had a lot of cars and this one was too noisey...good for Nissan for standing behind their product.

Any reason given for the low pressure?

[rochversa]

No idea. The dealer did not diagnose, rather, they called Nissan factory techs and the factory told them to make certain measurements (in the valve train) and to compression test the cylinders. When the dealer called the factory, the factory said 'OK, we'll send you a new engine." I asked the dealer if the factory would tear down the engine and if there was anyway I could find out exactly what the problem was, but they said the factory only tears down a sample of engines and does not report back on them. It would have been interesting to know a specific such as the valve stem on one of the valves to the #3 cylinder was bent and was not closing properly....but, it looks like we'll never know the exact problem...the engine arrived today, it is a complete engine and they said they need two days to remove and replace it.

[Driving Instructor]

No idea. The dealer did not diagnose, rather, they called Nissan factory techs and the factory told them to make certain measurements (in the valve train) and to compression test the cylinders. When the dealer called the factory, the factory said 'OK, we'll send you a new engine." I asked the dealer if the factory would tear down the engine and if there was anyway I could find out exactly what the problem was, but they said the factory only tears down a sample of engines and does not report back on them. It would have been interesting to know a specific such as the valve stem on one of the valves to the #3 cylinder was bent and was not closing properly....but, it looks like we'll never know the exact problem...the engine arrived today, it is a complete engine and they said they need two days to remove and replace it.

wow! wow! wow

[nearing27]

my car has the same problem . after months of telling them it about the loud noise on cold starts they kept it over night to hear it but they told me that they recorded the sound and sent it to the factory techs they said there was a problem with cylinder #3 and they replaced just the block .

[NODES]

my car has the same problem . after months of telling them it about the loud noise on cold starts they kept it over night to hear it but they told me that they recorded the sound and sent it to the factory techs they said there was a problem with cylinder #3 and they replaced just the block .

OH boy mine is noisey too I am pretty close to the same mileage as well.

It does get better when the car warms up. I do not think this is an isolated case as 2 people in this thread have now had problems with Cylinder #3.

[fba123456]

I noticed this also, but I'm not sure if its the same as what you are describing. This started when I began parking my Versa outdoors.

I'll talk to the service tech when I get the car in for service.

[NODES]

I noticed this also, but I'm not sure if its the same as what you are describing. This started when I began parking my Versa outdoors.

I'll talk to the service tech when I get the car in for service.

my car for most of his life has been parked underground. The engine noise changed at 15, 000 Miles

[Scottneon]

Just wanted to let the other Versa owners know. They had to replace another engine at the dealership that replaced my engine. They have a problem with them. I don't know how bad the problem is but this is now 2 engines in NJ that I know of

[jwerty1]

these engines are loud on cold start (all nissan 4 cylinders are)get used to it, your dealer probably replaced your motor so you shut upI'll bet you get the same noise outta your new engine soontry synthetic if the noise bothers you, but there is nothing wrong with your engine, all engines will make more noise as they get older and broken in, make sure you have oil changes as recommended and don't run out of coolant and you're engine will be fine

[jwerty1]

i've seen 2 versa motors and 2 sentra motors (mr versions) replaced so far, 1 sentra motor ended up not being warranty (engine seized rod through the oil pan), all because of not doing oil changes, think 10-30k without an oil change, and im sure if the customer wasn't smart enough to get an oil change they probably couldn't figure out how to pop the hood and check the oil level

[BlackMetal]

Just wanted to let the other Versa owners know. They had to replace another engine at the dealership that replaced my engine. They have a problem with them. I don't know how bad the problem is but this is now 2 engines in NJ that I know of

scottneon, where is the dealer you took your car to? I`m close to waretown, there aren`t many Nissan dealers this way...

[Scottneon]

Went to Causeway Nissan right on 72 in Manahawkin. Hope this helps

[Scottneon]

So I shut up? I never brought my car in before. I asked a question on here and people said that its a loud engine. So since it didn't run bad ,just noisy I never brought it in. Also I use Amsoil and an Amsoil oil filter that are very expensive. I wish a car dealer would replace something everytime I complained. Just giving a heads up to other Versa owners. Wasn't trying to cause problems

[EnableX]

Hi, same problem for me.. When the engine is cold, it's sound like a 1940 old diesel tracktor. After about 5 minutes the sound is lower but still present. i'm not sure if it's piston slap or lifter or something else. When I'm on idle or driving (motor revving) same result. The faster the RPM are, the faster the "sewing machine sound" tick tick are too, but same noise level.

The car isn't under warranty anymore so I try to live with it. I'll try synthetic oil next time to check is it can reduce the noise a little bit.

[Bubs360]

I get the same sort of thing, most noticeable when I am parked against a wall or something so the ticking echoes. It's kind of irritating but as long as it's normal then it's not a real problem for me. I'm still happy with the car!

[EnableX]

This week I'm gonna call the local nissan dealer for an appointment. Just to check if nothings wrong. The noise is pretty loud these days.. I will see if it's normal or if the motor need to be adjusted. I'll let you know the conclusion.. Hope for a fix! hehe

[EnableX]

I went to the dealer last day. Sound is normal for that car. They started another V they have and the sond was even worse. they said Synthetic oil is not gonna change the sound but i'm gonna try it to be sure. They call it "Piston Slap". i'll grab some Pennzoil Platinum (deal at 20$ for 4.4 liters) and a good filter to check it the noise will reduce.