Whirring noise from front end, speed dependent... CVT?

[pingflood]

Well, the joy of Versa ownership continues. From rattling airbag to door handles falling off, and the worst piston slap I've heard on any vehicle, to something new and exciting. Driving home last week (I do a 600 mile round trip every week) I started hearing a whine/whir from the front end. It is completely speed dependent and is not affected by load, engine rpm, or anything. Starts being audible around 20mph and really whines a fair bit at 60+. Checked the tires and wheels, nothing weird about them or stuck in there. I saw some Rogue owners have had similar problems that ended up being the CVT -- any Versa owners have the same thing happen?

[conversation]

Pingflood,

I don't have the whirring on mine, except on certain road surfaces. (Versa HB 1.8 2009). It's possible your tires have worn to a certain depth at which they make noise.

But I might have the piston slap you mention. I get a knock sound after the engine is fully warmed up. Sounds like one cylinder is making the sound. You can feel it in the dashboard too. What does your piston slap sound like?

Thanks

[pingflood]

What I call piston slap is just excessive noise from the engine until warmed up -- loud clacking that eventually mostly goes away, and is REALLY bad when it's cold out.

As for tire noise, I really wish it was, but am pretty certain this isn't.