Low speed engine noise

[muranomike]

Hi, I just purchased a 2005 Murano SL with only 58000km. I was just wondering about low speed/rpm driving.When driving at about 50km/hr my rpm go down to about 1300., my question is about the engine noise, it seems to start to "growl" and get somewhat loud. is this normal ? I am wondering if I have an exhaust leak? Anyone have any comments ?Perhaps it normal.Looking forward to your feedback and expert opinions.Thanks Mike

[nafddur]

No noises at all like that on my 04 SE, currently with 71K miles. And I'm still on my original exhaust system.

[bigm55]

i just got the 2010 Rogue and it has now developed a slight noise at low speed i was looking at outher postings and it seems that this is a problem with the Rogue so i shall see how things go and see the dealership in the up coming weeks

[yosM45]

2 issues that I know of, had both in my 2005.

1) there is a TSB for an exhaust hanig the rattles and could crack on of the pipes.

2) apparently, the 2005 (per nissan) are infamous for spark knock at low speed. This doesn't sound like your issue, but just throwing it out there.

Look up that TSB.

[muranomike]

The more I drive the more I fell that it is a exhaust issue. Performance seems fine. Can you please tell me more about the TSB issue?Where can I check for it and diagnose it?Thanks Mike

[yosM45]

Let me see if I can find it when I get home. Working until 5. I believe the website I used is nissanhelp.com

Become a member, and you can down load the tsbs for free.

There's a section for recalls and tsbs.

[kjwzoom]

I would say yes, normal - my 2006 SL w/ 40k miles (64000km) does this too.

When you go that slow at that rpm, the engine is essentially 'lugging' or not in the power band. Same principle applies to a manual-transmission car, if you shift into 5th or 6th at 35mph, the car doesn't have a lot of power to work with. The noise you hear is probably the engine working under more load with less power - the Mo isn't a light vehicle by any means.

Does it make the noise when you accelerate and keep the rpms above 2,000? I'm betting not.

Does it sounds like an exhaust issue? As in you are outside and the exhaust sounds raspy, or you have an exhaust manifold tick? Exhausts ususally sounds off at higher rmp/speed.

[muranomike]

Very interesting.. Sounds alot like mine, noise goes away at higher rpm. it does seem to only happen at about 1200-1300 rpm "band". It does sound like a exhaust issue, what is a exhaust manifold tick ? Could you please elaborate? Do you think this is the "recall" issue that yosM45 mentioned?I really appreciate the replies, Thanks Mike

[kjwzoom]

I honestly wouldn't think it would be exhaust, your rig isn't really that old...

An exhaust manifold noise would be in the engine bay -- the exhaust manifold is what collects the exhaust from the engine and directs it to the exhaust routing to the back... Sometimes these form cracks from the heat and make a rasping noise when driving. However, that would be something found on an older car.

The 'exhaust hanging' thing is for metal hangers that attach to your Mo that the exhaust pipe/cat/muffler hangs from. If those come loose, the exhaust system can rattle around. Look under your car where the exhaust runs from engine bay to exhaust tips under your bumper -- find the hangers and see if any are loose. It could be that...

I still think it is just noise that your engine is making normally. If I take off slowly from a stop, and if I'm not on the throttle hard, the transmission will stay low, and I'll get my noise. I'm sure that you could replicate the sound in another Mo -- it just 'growls' along, moving the Mo on minimal power. Keep in mind I've NO idea what you think a growl sounds like!

[muranomike]

I will have a look under when the temperature warms up a little (-20 right now) Good point about the growl "sound". Perhaps its more of an exhaust/one gear too low type sound. This is the first and only ond i droveso I have nothing to compare it to.

Thanks Mike

[kjwzoom]

No worries! We've only had our Murano for a little over two weeks, but I know the "growl" from other cars that I've had. We love ours, still getting used to it, but love it.

Look at the hangers when it warms up, maybe ask your Nissan tech (or mechanic) next time you're in for an oil change about it. I honestly wouldn't worry about it unless it gets worse. Enjoy your Murano!

[muranomike]

Thanks For the help, i will update once I have a chance to crawn under.

Cheers Mike

[muranomike]

Just had the dealer look at this problem, technician took it for a drive, said perfromance is great but it does have more of a "growl" at low rpm than other Muranos. He put it on the hoist had a good look at eahaust system and it also looks fine !! Very frustrating, Anybody have any Ideas ?Been reading on other forums, could this be caused by bad motor mounts?