Q45 with box of marbles

[aaacomp]

Ok, on the way back from NO La.. I had been runnig the Q up to 130-140 just messing around with anyone that wanted to play. .while shifting from 3rd to OD (130-140) I'd noticed a binding like the brake was being applied. So after trying to get a new SS Camero to play and the binding increased I slowed to 100 then 80 at that time the car developed knock (slow) dum dum so I looked for an exit ,, exited and the car now had more noise in it.. The engine had no misses and still revved easily. I assumed the planateries had left again.. Got a truck / trailer and towed it home.. backed it off the trailer left it parked overnite. Then in the morning started it up again, Started on first roll over. revved easlly No missing or studdering but now it sounded like a dozen marbles in it.. Removed transmission went from one end to another and found NOTHING, no broken anything no metal in fluid.. Checked all bearings and shaft nothing wrong.. So, with that kind of noise it's not a rod to many noises, unless ALL eight maybe but still the noise is not a knock but a bunch of marbles running around in the transmission - oil pan.. Just pulled front cover off fo timing chain and everything is perfect... Not much left here . .Any suggestions or thoughts before I pull it all the way down to nothing.. OH, the engine is almost perfect on maintence. So I'm at a loss here.

[NISTECH]

gonna put this in infiniti forum

[Chally]

Do you have oil pressure in the engine?

Is the rattle in the transmission or the engine? Get a stethescope to listen better, or even a long screwdriver may be good enough.

Interesting...

[aaacomp]

Hello Chally,,Well from everything that happened I assumed that it was the transmission.. because of past experiences with the planetaires, but after dimantling the transmission , bearings, clutches, etc. and finding nothing but a very good look transmission, my next thought was the torque converter.. Drained it then looked at splines inside nothing broken, loose parts, etc, Shook the converters no rattles.. so my next thought since the transmission was out was to look at the oil pump chain.. Chains look great, no signs of rubbing wear on case either. with what sounds like a bunch of marbles running around it have to be something noticable...YOU'd think. But before tearing the transmission out and starting the eng.. it started on first roll revved fine and the sound wasn't in time with a rod knock almost like a bunch of brocken glass. Something that bothers me is while I was at a old shop here in dallas I spoke to an old timer who told me of a Nissan that they thought had a knocking rod but turned out to be the cat...I take extremely good care of this car...Pulling valve cover now.. plugs look great.. I have a haunting feeling it's something like the cat.. or the torque converter...Turns over with no binding

[Chally]

Yes, it's a bit hard to diagnose anything while it's apart.Why I was thinking oil pressure was the Lifters would rattle pretty badly with low oil pressure, but going fast wouldn't make any difference to them.

It'd be good to give the Cats a kick with your foot & listen for rattles.As for the transmission rattling the planetries, I've never actually heard of it, so your previous experience must've had a very bad box, (transmission) or the tech was covering up for something else. Very unusual.

Get the Torque convertor tested at a place they repair them. The transmission Specialist should be able to guide you where to go for that.

Good luck

[aaacomp]

Update,,, just spoke to Level 10 tech Sam..and went thru everything and came to the torque convertor. I have to take it to a shop and have them cut it to seperate to make sure. He also said that the convertor makes that kind of noise..I have the whole front of the eng plus the covers off and it looks almost new..Eng rotates with no problem....When I removed the plugs PFR6B's the number 3 cylinder plug was a darker color (like running rich) and the number 6 was a yellowis.. rest were light tan...

[Q45tech]

"the number 3 cylinder plug was a darker color (like running rich) and the number 6 was a yellowis.. rest were light tan..."

Or not firing totally [richer?] yellowish leaner?

The ecu is only smart enough to change the injector opening time on a per bank basis, the average of 4 cylinders reported by the O2 for that side.

Use the Consult to make sure both banks have equal idle and cruise [and WOT] opening time.............usually only happens wrong when someone just changes one O2 [new vs. used].Do a power balance to find out which injector is partially clogged.

[aaacomp]

Replaced O2 sensors both with New NGK's awhile back. When I had the Texas State inspection done I was told that it was idling rich but not enough to not pass.

[sijoko]

There is a shop in Long Island that can rebuild the converter and increase the stall also.

I did mine back when I had the trans rebuilt. They sent it back to me in about a week. The company is ProTorque.

http://www.protorque.com/index2.htm

-sijoko

[aaacomp]

Thanks for the info but I'm more interested in being 100% sure about what made that noise. I had planned on going for a different stall speed . .What is your stall set at?

[NISTECH]

if you have the car apart grab the cat and shake it if something is loose in there you will here it. if a yellowish poweder comes out that cat is desentigrating. most likely due to the fuel conditions you described.

[aaacomp]

I have a 2 1/2" one piece exhaust ,,high flow cats, turbomax resonators, Y pipe and SS muffler .. the whole system comes off in one piece.. But I will take a mallet and tap the cats and turn it upside down.. Didn't see any yellow color on the exhaust coming out of the pre cats. A tan color on pre cats

[sijoko]

aaacomp,

The converter stalls about 600-800 rpm higher than stock. It really helped the 0-30 accelaration. If you have the 4.08 gears, it is even better.

The cost is around $500.

-sijoko

[aaacomp]

Looks like a rod .. I just can't believe it.. cars running no longer has the box of marbles sound but a tapping sound. Replaced torque converter transmission, and drive plate. No belts on it , no exhaust either..

[joe dirt]

i may be in the same boat, The "box of marbles" sounds (when they were present) were they constant or just after start up ?