Growling noise at around 1500 RPM - feel vibration on pedal

[myrcgarage]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and this is my first post

I purchased a 2003 I35 about 5 weeks ago with 32K on it. So far so good, however, when I am cruising at low RPM, around 1500, less than 20MPH and try to give it a bit of gas, I can hear the engine is making some growling noise. Also, I can feel the vibration is more than usual on the gas pedal. Is it normal or something is loosen? I purchased a 3 year extended warranty, so, I want to get it fixed if it is a problem.

I appreciate your help.
Modified by myrcgarage at 7:42 PM 4/3/2007

[Beancooker]

I'm not sure of what it could be? Do you have any other info, other than a growling noise? Has it thrown a code? Maybe take it in and have it looked at before the warrenty expires.

[myrcgarage]

So, you don't think it is normal? I haven't taken it in yet. I just hope it is not something major. Other than vibration at around 1500RPM, the engine is smooth and quiet.

It only vibrates more than normal is when it is at around 1500RPM and I try to give it very little gas so that it is trying to accelerate but not completely.

I am using 87octane of gas. Could that be the problem?

[maxhopper]

I am using 87octane of gas. Could that be the problem?

Yes. If the knock sensor detects knock, it will retard the timing.

[myrcgarage]

Yes. If the knock sensor detects knock, it will retard the timing.

Do I need to use 93 Octane for I35? I thought it requires 87 only.

[maxhopper]

What does your owner's manual say?

[myrcgarage]

What does your owner's manual say?

I just checked and it is saying at least 87. For better performance, use 91 and up.

Now, would retarding timing cause it to vibrate more than normal? I had an accord before and it is not a high performance car. So, please let me know so that I can learn more.

Thanks

[maxhopper]

If that's what the manual says, then you should be fine in that regards. Retarding the timing could have many possible effects on what you are feeling behind the wheel.

Is this something that a person riding with you can feel?

[myrcgarage]

If that's what the manual says, then you should be fine in that regards. Retarding the timing could have many possible effects on what you are feeling behind the wheel.

Is this something that a person riding with you can feel?

I am driving alone to and from work. So, nobody can tell in that regard. But the engine noise is louder and the vibration is more. I will switch to premium when I fill up the tank next time to see if it is happening. If so, I will take it to the dealer and have them check it out. I do hope it is not a major problem...

[myrcgarage]

I filled it up with 93 octane today. It seems it is getting better now. Since it still had 1/4 tank left when I filled it up, so, it still has some 87 in there. I will keep monitoring it.

Thanks for your help.

[myrcgarage]

Yes. If the knock sensor detects knock, it will retard the timing.

How many tanks of premium before it is back to normal? I put in 3/4 last week and it is getting a bit better, but not completely. I took it in to have Infiniti look at it. They said try premium for 1 more to 2 tanks and see. I don't know if it is really the problem. They said if it is still the same, bring it in.

[maxhopper]

Try running your current tank down to almost empty then fill up with premium one more time. If you get through that tank and it's still acting up, it's probably something else.

[myrcgarage]

Try running your current tank down to almost empty then fill up with premium one more time. If you get through that tank and it's still acting up, it's probably something else.

Thanks a lot maxhopper97. I do hope gas is the problem still. Did you experience this before? It is so weird only at ~1500 rpm...

[maxhopper]

No, I have only used premium in the 4+ years I've owned my Max.

[myrcgarage]

Does "knocking" really sound like knocking? Or more like loud humming noise from the engine? I am not sure I know what it sounds like. Please advice.

Thanks

[maxhopper]

It should sound like a knock or a ping.

For a humming noise, I would check all your pulleys and tensioner to make sure they turn freely.

[myrcgarage]

I don't think it is the gas. I believe something is loosen or something. When the car was running in very cold weather, I didn't feel that vibration.

Now, outside temp is in the 50's. I wouldn't feel the vibration right away. I would feel it after the car is all warmed up. Could it be the exhaust that is making the noise and vibration?

[maxhopper]

Check the heat sheilds and exhaust, althought I'm not really sure you'd feel that throught the pedal.

[myrcgarage]

Check the heat sheilds and exhaust, althought I'm not really sure you'd feel that throught the pedal.

Thanks again MaxHopper. I have an appointment with Infiniti of Lisle in Illinois next Tuesday. I took it to the dealer last week, but they said that I should leave the car with them for a day or 2 to see. I hope they won't say "nothing is wrong..."

I forgot to mention: when it is an incline, the noise and vibration is even worse.

[A.Tech]

paddle? What are you in england? lol-A Beancooker quote

[myrcgarage]

paddle? What are you in england? lol-A Beancooker quote

haha...thanks for correctly man...pedal...

[myrcgarage]

I took it to Infiniti and they looked at my car. They could duplicate the sound and vibration. However, they said it is normal that the transmission is in a "locking" stage (whatever that means).

I told them NO...it is not normal since it is having vibration that is more than normal. They will put the car in the air (jack it up) and run it at ~1500 RPM to see if they can see anything underneath. I told them to look at the exhaust/heat shield/dampener and stuff...

Do you think it is normal to have vibration in the pedal at 1500 RPM with growling/hmming noise? I just want to have more opinion on this? Please let me know if you either have I35 or 2002/2003 Maxima. Do you experience anything like that. Appreciate that.
Modified by myrcgarage at 9:29 PM 4/10/2007

[myrcgarage]

I took it to Infiniti and they looked at my car. They could duplicate the sound and vibration. However, they said it is normal that the transmission is in a "locking" stage (whatever that means).

I told them NO...it is not normal since it is having vibration that is more than normal. They will put the car in the air (jack it up) and run it at ~1500 RPM to see if they can see anything underneath. I told them to look at the exhaust/heat shield/dampener and stuff...

Do you think it is normal to have vibration in the pedal at 1500 RPM with growling/hmming noise? I just want to have more opinion on this? Please let me know if you either have I35 or 2002/2003 Maxima. Do you experience anything like that. Appreciate that.

Modified by myrcgarage at 9:29 PM 4/10/2007

I have the car back last Thurs. The service department at Infiniti dealer said there is nothing they could fix. They said no code was thrown by the engine or transmission. It is just how I35 is. To me, it is not how the car is. Something is wrong with my car. Could it be MAF (mass air flow) thingie, flywheel or something else? Anybody has any idea?

By the way, I feel like the car is hesitating a bit while it is vibrating at around 1500 RPM at 40 to 45 mph.

I called the sales guy tonight since I can't stand how the car drives (btw, he is good about taking care of his customer). He said he would talk to service department to see what they did. Then, he would ask me to come in to drive with him to see what is going on with the car.

If anybody can give me any idea what the problem could be, I would great appreciate that.

I paid for 3 years extended warranty. I want it to be fixed.

[maxhopper]

Next time you go in, ask if they have another I35 you could drive to see if it is a normal condition. Also take the salesman up on the ride along. If you can duplicate the problem for someone else, you have a better chance of getting it fixed.

[myrcgarage]

Next time you go in, ask if they have another I35 you could drive to see if it is a normal condition. Also take the salesman up on the ride along. If you can duplicate the problem for someone else, you have a better chance of getting it fixed.

Here is the problem. The tech guy can duplicate the problem but he said it is how I35 is at 1500RPM (with that kind of vibration).

[flwrgr473]

Did the dealership ever find a solution to your problem I have a 2005 Maxima with the exact same issue. My dealership can duplicate the problem but says everything checks out.

[myrcgarage]

Did you car have that problem before?

Here is my story: Dealership was able to duplicate the problem. They thought it was a problem with something in the transmission. So, they ordered that part. When they opened up the tran, they found metal shaving. So, they had to replace the whole transmission. After 1 week, they replaced the tran, however, problem still existed. They did quite a bit more stuff to my car. After 2 1/2 weeks, they told me they fixed it. When I went back to test drive, it was the same as before. They said it was normal. However, if it was normal, why would they spent 2 weeks to fix it. They said total number of work hour on my car was 36 hours(don't know if it was true or not). Anyway, if there was nothing wrong, why would they spend 36 hours on it.

After I got the car back, I couldn't stand the car having this problem. So, I called the sales guy and his manager up. They were willing to let me trade the car in for $700 less than what I paid. The catch is that I had to buy a more expensive car. So, i purchased a 2004 I35 with 34K miles on it. This one is black in black with spoiler and all options. This one doesn't have the same issue (knock on wood).

So, dealership tried to fix it, but it wasn't solved. That is my answer.

Did you buy it used?

Did the dealership ever find a solution to your problem I have a 2005 Maxima with the exact same issue. My dealership can duplicate the problem but says everything checks out.

[NewfoundlandDude]

Hey man,

Don't know if this helps at all, but apparently A LOT of people are having that problem with the newer generation Maxima's. I started a thread on another site, and a user named Jess posted 3 or 4 links to other similar threads for the issue. If you go here and scroll down to the reply by Jess with the links, you can read up on it a little more. I fixed my problem by re-shaping the hangars on my aftermarket Y, but never got around to posting that on the thread....

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=530277

[myrcgarage]

They mentioned Rattle Noise and not vibration. Mine car vibrated. I could feel the vibration throughout the whole car in some cases. I told them to check the exhaust and they said they did. They said that nothing was wrong (that is what they say usually). Sometimes, you don't know if these mechanics are good or not.

flwrgr473, tell your dealer about what newFoundlandDude said and see if that is your problem. I do hope it is since I went thru a whole month of trouble with my 2003 I35.

Please keep us posted.

Hey man,

Don't know if this helps at all, but apparently A LOT of people are having that problem with the newer generation Maxima's. I started a thread on another site, and a user named Jess posted 3 or 4 links to other similar threads for the issue. If you go here and scroll down to the reply by Jess with the links, you can read up on it a little more. I fixed my problem by re-shaping the hangars on my aftermarket Y, but never got around to posting that on the thread....

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=530277

Hey man,

[flwrgr473]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your responses! I bought my Maxima new in 2005, and just began having this problem about a month ago. I'm going to bring all of this stuff up to the dealership and keep you guys posted on progress.