rattle when accelerating under load

[roguegain]

My 2008 Rogue AWD automatic has 26,000 miles on it and has developed an annoying rattle that sounds very similar to engine knock, it only occurs when accelerating under light load. Could this be the dreaded transmission rattle that I have read about here? I've tried putting octane booster in the tank and it still rattles.BTW, I hate the CVT when I coast downhill the rpms jump up to 4,000+ and it feels like I am stuck in low gear and when I accelerate the rpms stay around 2-3,000 and it feels like I am stuck in high gear (I have to manually switch the overdrive off via button on side of shifter.

zer...d=215#

[RubenTheRogue]

You have an OD button on your shifter? Where's mine?

[philipa_240sx]

Welcome to the forum roguegain!

My 2008 Rogue AWD automatic has 26,000 miles on it and has developed an annoying rattle that sounds very similar to engine knock, it only occurs when accelerating under light load. Could this be the dreaded transmission rattle that I have read about here? I've tried putting octane booster in the tank and it still rattles.

A light engine knock (sparkknock) during acceleration is normal, esp in very warm weather and under heavy load (ie accelerating). If it really concerns you, try using a different brand gas and/or higher octane. I am not a big fan of additives.

BTW, I hate the CVT when I coast downhill the rpms jump up to 4,000+ and it feels like I am stuck in low gear and when I accelerate the rpms stay around 2-3,000 and it feels like I am stuck in high gear (I have to manually switch the overdrive off via button on side of shifter.

Actually it's a new feature with Nissan's CVT's. Previous owners complained of the lack of engine braking with Nissan CVT's so now Nissan has incorporated the 'gear down' feature.

As for staying at low rpm's while gently accelerating or cruising, it's to improve fuel economy by keeping the engine at the highest gear possible.

The behaviour of the CVT takes some getting used to. After awhile you won't notice it... and the next time you drive conventional automatic, it will feel wierd!

You have an OD button on your shifter? Where's mine?

If you have manual shift/paddle shifters then you do not have the Overdrive button on the shifter.

[kerrton]

Not sure if you ever discovered the cause of this problem, but if so please let me know because I have something similar happening with my Rogue. At first it scared the crap outta me because I thought it was engine knock: The engine had reached operating temp during a winter drive, then all of sudden under light acceleration a significant rattle started from the front of the vehile, lasted about 5 seconds then went away. Now today it's -25 C and the intermittent rattle noise is back, but I'm sure it's not the engine because I can hear it independantly of the rattle noise. It almost sounded like ice rattling around violently, something is definately rattling to cause that noise.

Anyway, I'm not worried about it, I just went on some long highway trips and didn't hear it at cruising speed, and I'm sure it's not the engine or the transmission. If it gets worse I'll bring it in for service, and if anyone knows a potential cause please let me know. Thanks and Happy New Year.

[blaruffa]

I had a rattle too during the cold weather. It turn out that the heat shields on the car had become loose under the exhaust. Took it to the dealer they tightened them up have not heard the noise since.

[Leo2005]

wow. had the same problem last year. Dealer tighten up the heat shield.

[kerrton]

Not sure if you ever discovered the cause of this problem, but if so please let me know because I have something similar happening with my Rogue. At first it scared the crap outta me because I thought it was engine knock: The engine had reached operating temp during a winter drive, then all of sudden under light acceleration a significant rattle started from the front of the vehile, lasted about 5 seconds then went away. Now today it's -25 C and the intermittent rattle noise is back, but I'm sure it's not the engine because I can hear it independantly of the rattle noise. It almost sounded like ice rattling around violently, something is definately rattling to cause that noise.

Anyway, I'm not worried about it, I just went on some long highway trips and didn't hear it at cruising speed, and I'm sure it's not the engine or the transmission. If it gets worse I'll bring it in for service, and if anyone knows a potential cause please let me know. Thanks and Happy New Year.

I'm continuuing to have this problem, now I hear it at idle quite often, seems the problem is getting steadily worse so I'm hoping the service tech will be able to find the root of the problem soon....once he does I'll report back (hopefully it's a loose heat shield but I'm not confident).