Motor is knocking.Please help.

[qbawl1]

Out of nowhere yesterday, my engine started making a noise that sounds like something is broken inside of it. However it still has power and drives normally. I have a 2006 m45 sport with just under 85,000 miles on it. I bought it privately about 3 weeks ago. I've read a few posts about this on here, but they're a few years old. The posts are stating that infiniti knows there is a problem. I was wondering if anyone knows if they are doing anything about it. I dropped $500 on brakes a few hours before this started yesterday. I'm sick to my stomach over this. I would appreciate any help on this matter. I live in Staten Island , NY. If anyone knows of any shops locally that work on these motors, their information would be helpful. I read that the dealer charges up to$10,000 to replace the motor. I don't want to pay that kind of money. I paid $10,500 for the car. I can't see doubling the price for my first repair.

[EniGmA1987]

If the noise really is engine knocking then it isn't a "known problem" as all engines can get this is something is failed inside the engine and causes aggressive wear to the bearings and rods. Really the only thing you can do is take it to a mechanic and let them listen to the sound. If they think it really is rod knock then they can open up the bottom of the engine to confirm, but it is usually cheaper to buy a whole used engine that to actually do the work to repair the rod knock. Infiniti will not sell you a used engine from a private sale or junkyard, so their costs will be way higher.

Though the noise could be pinging or a different kind of knock. If it is pinging then that could be a timing issue or bad gas (always use premium gas in M45 and dont buy Shell gas for Infiniti's). If it is more of a knocking noise from timings or the valves then you probably need oil. These Infiniti engines do consume oil quite often an M45's have been known to have a much higher percentage that burn oil.


Here is what rod knock is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsCb0auCDWI

[EdBwoy]

1. I know you mentioned a knocking sound, but I'd like to ask if the sound is more of a heavy thump or does it sound like tapping on a hollow material.
2. Is it coming from either the passenger/driver or front/rear side of the engine?
3. Have you checked your oil level?
4. Lastly, do you have a check engine light or experiencing power loss?

[qbawl1]

It's more of a tapping sound. It sounds like its on the passenger side. My oil level is in the middle of the 2 lines. And I don't have any engine lights on. I appreciate you guys responding so fast.

[EdBwoy]

Without hearing the sound, I'd hesitatingly say it's some lower engine problem that isn't exactly triggering the knock sensors to retard timing. (I should have clarified that when I asked power loss I meant that your gas pedal isn't throwing you back into your seat like the 45 should)
If you're pretty handy yourself, drain and catch the oil to see if you notice any metal flakes in there. It's still not a bad idea to take it to a pro as suggested above to have an official and hopefully quicker diagnosis.

[qbawl1]

I'm going to take your advice and go to a pro. I'm trying to find a shop that can rebuild the motor instead of just swapping it if it's needed. I think it might be a better solution.

[EdBwoy]

This is what my rod knock sounded like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-RxN5e ... e=youtu.be

And I'm not going to try to steer you one way or another, but they both have upsides and downsides.
With a motor replacement, it could be cheap and you could get one with a warranty. That doesn't cover your labor in case the motor is bad, but it helps. Most quotes I got were around the $3,000 mark.
For me, rebuilding would be pretty costly because the crankshaft will most likely also be worn. At some point it becomes a full engine rebuild and idk the costs of doing that yet. I know the parts costs for doing the job right are pretty significant. Another issue is downtime while the engine is being rebuilt. Then we can only hope the rebuilder is pretty good and/or offers a warranty for the work.

[qbawl1]

That's some good points your making. I just want the best deal that I can get. Where did you get the price for the engine?

[EdBwoy]

ebay currently has 4, ranging from $3200 to $4700.
I also called a lot of salvage yards as I went through craigslist in the big cities.

[lovemycarM35]

Before you go buying engines I had i knock in my car a few years ago I was still under warranty it turned out to be a carbon knock they sprayed some high powered cleaner in the throttle body in that knock was gone not sure if that's your issue but its worth a try

[myother45isalesbaer]

CHECK THE OIL LEVEL! A quart here, a quart there, these like oil for breakfast. Don't worry about why, they just do. A few $$$'s to add some is cheaper than anything else. All kinds of theories posted as to the why posted long time ago.

[EdBwoy]

I usually wonder what happens to such threads or the original posters who seemed to really need the help they asked for.

[midnightclub619]

hahaha. Exactly Ed! At first its an issue but that's the last heard from them.

[EniGmA1987]

With something as major as rod knock, I usually just assume the mechanic told them it would be a new engine and the person ended up buying a new card instead.

[EdBwoy]

I understand that, and also that to most people car repairs elicit worry and frustration.
And my stand has always been that I don't mind offering help to someone who joins just to solve one issue and be gone. No pressure to stay around and hang out. Heck, that's why I offer to post pictures for people [we need an easier way for that btw]
It's also understandable if it takes a long time in between problem and solution and you forget your login info. But eventually, it could take as much or as little time as it took to join originally and give an update as a courtesy to the people that took it upon themselves to offer free information.


It's you guys that stick around that keep this place going, and for everybody's contribution I am very grateful.
If everybody just came here to post their issues and didn't bother following up with a solution, then we'd either keep feeding bad advice based on our best guesses, or have nothing to offer.

I suppose I am especially keen about M45 engine failures. I promise every time I hear of a damaged engine, I'm digging for background info and solutions and costs. There is a lot of misinformation or lack of understanding out there and we're here to put our heads together and find the most cost efficient way out.

[LIBRILZ]

Yes, I as well am keen on info about them

That said, I've seen a few high mileage 200K M45s

[Arcbuilds88]

I understand that, and also that to most people car repairs elicit worry and frustration.
And my stand has always been that I don't mind offering help to someone who joins just to solve one issue and be gone. No pressure to stay around and hang out. Heck, that's why I offer to post pictures for people [we need an easier way for that btw]
It's also understandable if it takes a long time in between problem and solution and you forget your login info. But eventually, it could take as much or as little time as it took to join originally and give an update as a courtesy to the people that took it upon themselves to offer free information.


It's you guys that stick around that keep this place going, and for everybody's contribution I am very grateful.
If everybody just came here to post their issues and didn't bother following up with a solution, then we'd either keep feeding bad advice based on our best guesses, or have nothing to offer.

I suppose I am especially keen about M45 engine failures. I promise every time I hear of a damaged engine, I'm digging for background info and solutions and costs. There is a lot of misinformation or lack of understanding out there and we're here to put our heads together and find the most cost efficient way out.

Hey Edbwoy I've had a knock in my m45 for a while so I put it away. But I was moving it and needed to start it to help move it and the knock was there, but then it went away... Have you heard of this? Thanks!