Need advice on start up noise on 08 coupe.

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

I havent heard this noise on my cars, and our dealership hasn't had any A/Cs in for service yet, but i HOPE Nissan has fixed their problems that they were having with the VTC (Valve Timing Control) sprockets aka "Cam Gears" on the 03+ 3.5L motors making noise. They were making a noise that sounded like a rattling or timing chain noise on start up and would go away after a few seconds/minutes.

The 3.5L in the Murano, Maxima, Altima had problems with the brackets that mounts the catalytic converter to the engine block will break and cause a rattle noise on acceleration but its not on startup. I will let you guys know if i come across anything.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

....but i HOPE Nissan has fixed their problems that they were having with the VTC (Valve Timing Control) sprockets aka "Cam Gears" on the 03+ 3.5L motors making noise. They were making a noise that sounded like a rattling or timing chain noise on start up and would go away after a few seconds/minutes.

Yep, this is what I have. What is involved in rectifying this problem? Is it causing any damage that you know of?

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

The problem that i was talking about is fixed by replacing the VTC sprockets, which is very labor intensive and the technicians dont get paid enough to do the job, so depending on how honest your particular dealerships service department is, it may be difficult to get them to "hear the noise." as for it causing any "damage" i havent seen any go bad enough to cause any physical damage i havent seen anything, but i have seen the timing chain tensioners and guides go bad as well, so usually if we are going to replace the gears, and it is a warranty repair we will replace all of the timing chain components (chains (main chain + 2 secondary chains) tensioners, guides, gears/pullys) while we are in there.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Yea from what I just researched, replacing the VTC sprockets look to be a royal pain. My dealer is fairly honest. I've purchased several cars from them. There is no way they could pretend to not hear this sound. Its loud as hell on a cold start.

[BlackNWhite]

I once again noticed the loud noise today on a cold start. However, if I shift from P to anything (reverse for instance), and then go back to Parking, the noise goes away? Is this the heat shield?

Yea, the noise would go away if I shifted to any other 'gear'. So it might be it but I think you already posted that it isn't. I had to leave it for about 2 days or so I think because they had to order all the parts new. Dunno how long it takes if they have the part.

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

because of how tight these motors are packed into the engine bay, you have to drop the engine out to remove the timing cover, to remove the timing components (gears, chains, etc) a technician that has done the job a few times before should be able to get the job done in 1 day. i can get them done in about 5 hours if im not bothered with anything else.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

i can get them done in about 5 hours if im not bothered with anything else.

Too bad you're in Virginia...

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

haha im sure theres somebody in California that can do it in 5 hours, but the dealership wont tell you that because sometimes there are "complications." the easiest way to do it is to actually drop the motor out, some guys do the job without dropping the motor, but its a fight and takes longer. with the new set up on the 02+ altimas and 04+ maximas (and muranos and quests) you can drop the whole cradle including, motor, trans, steering rack, etc in 45 minutes if youve done it a few times before. and once you get it out, everything is right there, and the job is easier to do with everything infront of you as compared to cramming everything in while its still in the car.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

Why did Nissan ship these cars out with this problem from the very beginning?

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

If you find the answer to that question, PLEASE let me know! They have been having problems with these VTC sprockets and timing chain guides since 03+ Altima 3.5 and 04+ Maxima and judging from the symptoms and noises that some of you guys are talking about make it sound like they STILL havent fixed it in the factory. I dont know if its a problem with QC or an engineering problem or all of the above. It could be a completely different issue that you guys are talking about, but it sounds similiar.

[SHIFT_2.5S]

I would say that as long it doesn't cause any harm at all (short term or long term) to the engine, I don't care about 10-15 seconds of noise. I just don't understand why they would knowingly ship cars with this problem. After all, we are paying a pretty high price for the cars and they should be defect-free.

[2008CodeRedCoupe]

I definitely agree with that, i see both perspectives. i see the perspective of the technician working on the car and addressing the customers complaints, whether valid or not. and i see the perspective now too of owning the car.