I35 Plug change, slight engine rattle?

[ZachB]

Hello;

I have a 2002 I35. It has 91,000 miles and I'm getting ready to do some maintenance to it. I plan to have the plugs changed along with the plug wires. Is this something I could do myself or does the manifold really need to be removed completely? If it's something that I take to the dealer, any suggestions on appropriate cost so I don't get ripped off?

Also, are there any other suggestions as to other maintenance that should be done at the same time?

One concern I have is that sometimes (not always) I hear a slight "rattle" as I accelerate. It's not consistent, not loud, just kind of a ping / rattle as the engine revs which stops after a few seconds. I don't want this to get worse - any ideas on what could cause this? Could this be a timing issue?

Thanks in advance!

[Eikon]

Hi Zach,

Replacing the plugs on the front back is easy... the rear bank, however, does require the removal of the intake manifold. It's not as hard as it looks... but if you're not confident, perhaps it would be best to have a shop take care of it for you. I'm not sure what the "book time" is on that repair.. probably 2 hours.. so like $150 to $200 in labor.. plus parts.. But, I'm not really sure of that.. haven't ever had it quoted out personally.

Do know when the accessory belts were last replaced? Air filter?Fuel filter?

Have you checked your oil level? Sometimes if you let your oil get low, you'll get some rattling noises from inside. Check and see if your oil is down a quart or so... that might be the cause.

[ZachB]

Thanks for the reply - I am going to take it in and have a local shop replace the plugs for me. Apparently there are no wires, but a "boot" on the plug that should be replaced?

I had the belts replaced about 5k miles ago. Air filter is a K&N with about 40k miles on it, I'm going to be replacing it (rather than cleaning) as I don't want to deal with any oil residue issues.

I have not replaced /checked fuel filter - I was under the impression this was non-serviceable / in tank?

Oil level is normal currently. It does use a little less than a quart every 3-4k miles. I am rather concerned about this as I never see it smoke.

[ZachB]

The rattling noise seems to ONLY happen around 1800-2100 RPM's. Oil level is good, and the engine sounds fine idling, accelerating (except at those RPM) and at speed it's perfectly normal.

I'm taking it in Monday to have everything checked out, but I'm not sure if it's time for me to consider trading the vehicle. If the timing chain is hitting the guard, I've read it could be the tensioner, but is this fixable? I would prefer to keep this car as I really like it but I cannot afford to have it blow up on me. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[Kompresshun]

I have a similar noise with my I30, it only does it under load though(transmission in gear and driving). With mine I can stick it in neutral while driving and rev it with no noise but when I put it back in drive it still does it sometimes. Also when parked it will not do it either, after further inspection one thing I found was that the heat shield on the cat. converter under the car was loose, once fixing that it helped with the noise a lot.

You could just have something loose under the car, it could be pinging from type of fuel being used, or it may have another issue like a loose or worn out motor mount. Either way if you don't feel comfortable checking it yourself and it worries you then drop it off at the shop and let them figure it out.

[ZachB]

I have a similar noise with my I30, it only does it under load though(transmission in gear and driving). With mine I can stick it in neutral while driving and rev it with no noise but when I put it back in drive it still does it sometimes. Also when parked it will not do it either, after further inspection one thing I found was that the heat shield on the cat. converter under the car was loose, once fixing that it helped with the noise a lot.

You could just have something loose under the car, it could be pinging from type of fuel being used, or it may have another issue like a loose or worn out motor mount. Either way if you don't feel comfortable checking it yourself and it worries you then drop it off at the shop and let them figure it out.

How long has your car been doing this? I can rev mine in park and it doesn't do it. When accelerating it will make the noise. I should have been more clear in my post.

I only use premium fuel, I'm actually running a can of SeaFoam through the car now to see if it helps at all.

Dropping off at the shop on Monday. Hopefully they can narrow down the issue.

[Kompresshun]

My car has been making the noise since I bought it 2 years ago, I never really have worried about it very much since it only does it under acceleration.

It worried me at first but after time I quit worrying about it since it hasn't shown any signs of a problem, it doesn't do it when the drivetrain isn't under a load, the transmission shifts properly and has no slips, the engine has no odd noises. If they do find a problem I would be curious to hear what it is though.

[The Knuckle]

what about the oil pump?

This seems to be a tricky as the ones already mentioned where not the culprit. I have had the same problem and the oil pump is coming to mind.

for the sake of info...I have change oil viscosities as well as adding an extra quart at the oil with no help.

Very Very interested into hearing ideas on this.

[MattB]

Hello;

I have a 2002 I35. It has 91,000 miles and I'm getting ready to do some maintenance to it. I plan to have the plugs changed along with the plug wires. Is this something I could do myself or does the manifold really need to be removed completely? If it's something that I take to the dealer, any suggestions on appropriate cost so I don't get ripped off?

Also, are there any other suggestions as to other maintenance that should be done at the same time?

One concern I have is that sometimes (not always) I hear a slight "rattle" as I accelerate. It's not consistent, not loud, just kind of a ping / rattle as the engine revs which stops after a few seconds. I don't want this to get worse - any ideas on what could cause this? Could this be a timing issue?

Thanks in advance!

At ~90K I'd recommend a full engine coolant/transmission fluid flush, especially if you don't have any records of it having been done previously (should be done every 30K). As far as the rattle under acceleration I would look at all the heat shields. If one of them is loose it can vibrate under acceleration and cause a rattling noise like you describe. This is a pretty likely culprit if the noise only happens at certain RPM levels.

[sickler85]

I have a similar noise with my I30, it only does it under load though(transmission in gear and driving). With mine I can stick it in neutral while driving and rev it with no noise but when I put it back in drive it still does it sometimes. Also when parked it will not do it either, after further inspection one thing I found was that the heat shield on the cat. converter under the car was loose, once fixing that it helped with the noise a lot.

You could just have something loose under the car, it could be pinging from type of fuel being used, or it may have another issue like a loose or worn out motor mount. Either way if you don't feel comfortable checking it yourself and it worries you then drop it off at the shop and let them figure it out.

How long has your car been doing this? I can rev mine in park and it doesn't do it. When accelerating it will make the noise. I should have been more clear in my post.

I only use premium fuel, I'm actually running a can of SeaFoam through the car now to see if it helps at all.

Dropping off at the shop on Monday. Hopefully they can narrow down the issue.

Anyone ever find out what the rattle noise was, im a little scared bc i just bought the car and its been 3 weeks and im now getting a rattle noise.

[loystock]

Welcome to NICO.

So many things cause cause rattling noise. You have to do your own basic diagnostic. When do you hear the rattling noise - all the time, idle, accelerating, turning, when hitting bumps, etc.? If you are not sure what to look for, then you have to take it to a shop.

[Bryannsx8]

I have an 04 infinit I35 and have the same slight rattling noise under the front end. I have about 84k and bought the car 2 months ago. I had my heat shields checked when I got my oil changed today but they were all tight. After looking at these posts I'm beginning to think it is a common thing for the I series and doesn't seem to be connected to any larger problems. My good friend is a mechanic and said its almost certainly nothing to be worried about and is probably just a loose mount or screw. If anyone gets a diagnosis please post.

[Markc]

I've also got a slight rattle. Only happens between 2-2.5k under load. I can only hear it if the window is open. It's not a heavy rattle, almost sounds like wind chimes. It's been doing it for a year now, (since I bought the car), and hasn't changed.

[xerexabante]

Try this, look at power valve on intake where there is a link from the vacuum solenoid. The plastic wears out and dis-engages when power valve opens for more airflow. This will create a rattle at 1800rpm when it opens (idle and or load). I had some carbon deposits when i had this link to power valve issue ( I got beat by a Prius on a green light) It adle look around the hood why I had loss of power. Now my power is back and smokes tires till almost 3rd gear.

Try a bottle of Redline Si fuel treatment to the tank to clear carbon deposits on valves.

[Kompresshun]

Try this, look at power valve on intake where there is a link from the vacuum solenoid. The plastic wears out and dis-engages when power valve opens for more airflow. This will create a rattle at 1800rpm when it opens (idle and or load). I had some carbon deposits when i had this link to power valve issue ( I got beat by a Prius on a green light) It adle look around the hood why I had loss of power. Now my power is back and smokes tires till almost 3rd gear.

Try a bottle of Redline Si fuel treatment to the tank to clear carbon deposits on valves.

I'll have to check into this, i've had my car for over 2 years now and it's still making the same noise. I've yet to track down the cause though and it still bugs me that it won't go away.

Anybody have any other ideas as well? The noise is only under a load while moving, it doesn't happen when not in gear so it's not engine related. The bearings are in good shape, new CV axles in the past 3 months, new brakes and still there. Motor mounts seem fine too, transmission shifts like new, just had the whole exhaust system checked and had a hanger repaired. The only the left that I can think of would be what was mentioned above or possibly the y-pipe? I know a lot of people mention that it makes noises when bad, but I don't really want to replace it just to find out.

[xerexabante]

timing-advice-on-04-maxima-t516720.html

Please see above link, should answer your issues.

[Kompresshun]

timing-advice-on-04-maxima-t516720.html

Please see above link, should answer your issues.

That could be helpful to some of the other posters for sure, not the issue with mine though.

It seems like the exhaust still has an issue, which will be the second time the exhaust shop didn't patch it up right the first time. I want to believe it's a wheel bearing but it doesn't show any definite symptoms of it. I figure it's been making the main part of the noise since I bought it 2 years ago though, so it obviously isn't something too serious. I've had mechanics look at it and so have I, after 2 years i'm still baffled and it seems like nobody else is experiencing the same exact problem so I guess i'll just leave it be and keep driving it