*SOLVED* Engine Startup Clanking Noise, 2005 G35 Coupe. (With Video)
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Just found this thread. I have a 2005 G35 Sedan with 34K miles. Recently, I've been hearing thunks and sometimes squeals at cold start-up. Have also occasionally noticed what I can best describe as a noisy lifter (from the driver's side of the engine). The lifter noise has occurred perhaps 2-3 times over the last couple of months. It will usually go away after a couple minutes. The thuds and squeals have me much more concerned, however.
For the last two oil changes, I've been using Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30. Have about 3500 miles since the last change. I just checked the dipstick, and it looks like I'm about mid-way between "H"and "L". Is this unusual consumption? Getting a bit concerned...
For the last two oil changes, I've been using Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30. Have about 3500 miles since the last change. I just checked the dipstick, and it looks like I'm about mid-way between "H"and "L". Is this unusual consumption? Getting a bit concerned...
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I will, as soon as I can. The nearest Infiniti dealer is about 90 minutes away from me. Can a Nissan dealer help, or would I be wasting my time and effort?
Thinking about the squeal I heard this morning, I believe it can be attributed to having the AC on (had the defrost on yesterday). It was probably a noise from the compressor.
I found the oil consumption TSB and took a look at the chart. From what I see, halfway between H and L is in the range of "acceptable" for 3500 miles on the chart. Still, I don't like to see the engine eating oil...that worries me.
Perhaps I should let the dealer do the next change, and have them initiate an oil consumption test? Would this be a proper diagnostic at this point in the game?
Thinking about the squeal I heard this morning, I believe it can be attributed to having the AC on (had the defrost on yesterday). It was probably a noise from the compressor.
I found the oil consumption TSB and took a look at the chart. From what I see, halfway between H and L is in the range of "acceptable" for 3500 miles on the chart. Still, I don't like to see the engine eating oil...that worries me.
Perhaps I should let the dealer do the next change, and have them initiate an oil consumption test? Would this be a proper diagnostic at this point in the game?
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 335
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From: South Florida
Mine makes the same exact noise, but since it has been doing it for over 100K miles and hasn't gotten any worse - I think I will live with it. My last G did it too, and so does my brothers. There have never been any metal shavings floating around in my head when I have had the valve covers off.
I am pretty sure the startup noise shown in the video was not from the bearing damage. You got lucky they found the shavings and replaced the motor regardless.
I am pretty sure the startup noise shown in the video was not from the bearing damage. You got lucky they found the shavings and replaced the motor regardless.
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My engine has 100% same noise with the first start up in the youtube video, neither 2nd nor 3rd. http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs posted by OP. It looks like chain noise. Do you think it will go away if I change the timing chain tensioner? I can live with it but I should take care of it well because it's out of warranty now 
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: FROM BROOKLKN NEW YORK NOW LIVE IN VALENCIA CA.
My engine has 100% same noise with the first start up in the youtube video, neither 2nd nor 3rd. http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs posted by OP. It looks like chain noise. Do you think it will go away if I change the timing chain tensioner? I can live with it but I should take care of it well because it's out of warranty now
i took mine to the dealer
verything ck out ok
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Still making the noise after replacing timing chain etc...
I can't believe I haven't seen this thread yet. I thought I was the only one with this issue!! This might be helpful for anyone else trying to fix this problem. It's NOT related to the timing chain, guides, tensioners, sprockets, water pump, and whatever else related to the timing chain. I know this because I just paid $3,200 to have everything replaced and the noise is still there. It has to be an issue with the engine itself. I have now replaced every possible part under the hood, at a cost of nearly $8,000 and I still have the noise. The ONLY part that hasn't been replaced is the motor. I think the lesson here is that Infiniti screwed up big time and they are hiding from this costly mistake. There are probably thousands of cars out there with this problem and they don't want to pay up. I love my car, but hate the noise. And since this is a "normal" issue for the VQ35DE, I'm never buying Infiniti or Nissan again. Lesson learned...the hard way.
The link below is a recording of the sound after a few different starts.
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D635395_60657675_6052886
The link below is a recording of the sound after a few different starts.
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D635395_60657675_6052886
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Joined: Dec 2009
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EDIT:
This problem has been solved.
Go to the 4th page (or post #52 for the story, but the info is right here).
It seems that my particular problem was likely not the timing chain (although it was never clarified) but rather there was an engine bearing failure probably caused by lack of lubrication due to the infamous oil consumption issue. The bearing failed causing metal shavings to invade my engine's oil supply and caused severe scoring and pitting to my camshaft as well as damage to other engine components. It is likely that when it made that clanking noise upon startup that it may have actually been the metal shavings grinding inside of the engine components, having been splashed up along with the rest of the oil that was settled in the bottom of the oil pan.
**The best way to diagnose if you have the same problem causing your engine noise is to drop the oil pan and inspect for metal shavings.**
My saving grace was that I found oil pooling in the spark plug tube seal on plug #6 which prompted them to replace the valve cover, which is when they saw the rest of the damage that prompted me getting a new engine.
If everything looks okay you can be fairly confident that the noise may be related to the timing chain tensioners, as this is a known cause for startup noise as well, but it is much less harmful then having metal fragments in the engine.
Unfortunately for those out of warranty, my particular fix was a full replacement of my engine assembly. According to the dealership it is a fairly common problem which is costing Infiniti a boatload of money. Out of curiosity I asked the service consultant what the cost was to replace the engine and he said $9,300.00. For 6MTs with the rev-up engine it tops just over $10,000.00. For those under warranty, you will walk without paying a cent.
To help anyone else in a similar situation I am including my invoice from the dealership. Maybe it can help those with a similar problem and a less helpful service department get a new engine like they deserve.
If anyone else finds this thread useful or wants to discuss their engine noise problems that they think may be related, please continue posting in this thread.
Original thread:
My G35 coupe is just about out of its power train warranty (69,580 miles
) and I need to get this start up noise problem repaired under warranty by Infiniti before it is too late.
The noise only happens on a cold start (after sitting for at least 6 hours) and sounds like a grinding / clanking noise coming from the engine bay as the engine starts up and the rpms temporarily blip up. You can check it out in the youtube video below.
The engine has always been fed premium gas and the oil is perfectly fine. As a side note, the noise still happens after I get my oil changed so oil isn't associated to the problem. I have brought it to Infiniti Metro (Monrovia, CA) twice, first around 42k miles, second time around 48k miles and explained the problem. Unsurprisingly, the first time they claimed not to hear it. Then second time they claimed they fixed it, yet they didn't.
I need your guys' help to try to diagnose the problem so I can know what needs to be fixed when I bring it to Infiniti. The last thing I need is to have this problem build up to a larger problem which can result in failure of an engine component.
Thanks for your input.
Edit: I don't know if this is possibly related, but I also notice that if I hold the RPMs between 4k - 5k there is a very slight engine squeak. It only happens from that RPM range (or after that my engine drowns out the squeak). It is very quiet and hard to notice. You need to be driving with radio off and windows down, listening very carefully. It sounds simply like a squeaky bearing. I don't know if this is related.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
This problem has been solved.
Go to the 4th page (or post #52 for the story, but the info is right here).
It seems that my particular problem was likely not the timing chain (although it was never clarified) but rather there was an engine bearing failure probably caused by lack of lubrication due to the infamous oil consumption issue. The bearing failed causing metal shavings to invade my engine's oil supply and caused severe scoring and pitting to my camshaft as well as damage to other engine components. It is likely that when it made that clanking noise upon startup that it may have actually been the metal shavings grinding inside of the engine components, having been splashed up along with the rest of the oil that was settled in the bottom of the oil pan.
**The best way to diagnose if you have the same problem causing your engine noise is to drop the oil pan and inspect for metal shavings.**
My saving grace was that I found oil pooling in the spark plug tube seal on plug #6 which prompted them to replace the valve cover, which is when they saw the rest of the damage that prompted me getting a new engine.
If everything looks okay you can be fairly confident that the noise may be related to the timing chain tensioners, as this is a known cause for startup noise as well, but it is much less harmful then having metal fragments in the engine.
Unfortunately for those out of warranty, my particular fix was a full replacement of my engine assembly. According to the dealership it is a fairly common problem which is costing Infiniti a boatload of money. Out of curiosity I asked the service consultant what the cost was to replace the engine and he said $9,300.00. For 6MTs with the rev-up engine it tops just over $10,000.00. For those under warranty, you will walk without paying a cent.
To help anyone else in a similar situation I am including my invoice from the dealership. Maybe it can help those with a similar problem and a less helpful service department get a new engine like they deserve.
If anyone else finds this thread useful or wants to discuss their engine noise problems that they think may be related, please continue posting in this thread.
Original thread:
My G35 coupe is just about out of its power train warranty (69,580 miles
) and I need to get this start up noise problem repaired under warranty by Infiniti before it is too late. The noise only happens on a cold start (after sitting for at least 6 hours) and sounds like a grinding / clanking noise coming from the engine bay as the engine starts up and the rpms temporarily blip up. You can check it out in the youtube video below.
The engine has always been fed premium gas and the oil is perfectly fine. As a side note, the noise still happens after I get my oil changed so oil isn't associated to the problem. I have brought it to Infiniti Metro (Monrovia, CA) twice, first around 42k miles, second time around 48k miles and explained the problem. Unsurprisingly, the first time they claimed not to hear it. Then second time they claimed they fixed it, yet they didn't.
I need your guys' help to try to diagnose the problem so I can know what needs to be fixed when I bring it to Infiniti. The last thing I need is to have this problem build up to a larger problem which can result in failure of an engine component.
Thanks for your input.
Edit: I don't know if this is possibly related, but I also notice that if I hold the RPMs between 4k - 5k there is a very slight engine squeak. It only happens from that RPM range (or after that my engine drowns out the squeak). It is very quiet and hard to notice. You need to be driving with radio off and windows down, listening very carefully. It sounds simply like a squeaky bearing. I don't know if this is related.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A2kGCfTFurs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
I do not care if the engine was using a quart a day IT WAS ON YOU THAT YOU DID NOT CHECK THE OIL....there are people on there every week saying Nissan are junk, the engines are junk. the fact is all engines will go down when YOU RUN THEM DRY.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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""""caused by lack of lubrication due to the infamous oil consumption issue. The bearing failed causing metal shavings to invade my engine's oil supply and caused severe scoring """"
I do not care if the engine was using a quart a day IT WAS ON YOU THAT YOU DID NOT CHECK THE OIL....there are people on there every week saying Nissan are junk, the engines are junk. the fact is all engines will go down when YOU RUN THEM DRY.
I do not care if the engine was using a quart a day IT WAS ON YOU THAT YOU DID NOT CHECK THE OIL....there are people on there every week saying Nissan are junk, the engines are junk. the fact is all engines will go down when YOU RUN THEM DRY.
You missed the point. This issue happens when there is plenty of oil. As mentioned, it will happen right after an oil change. This problem has NOTHING to do with the amount of oil in the engine. It has to do with the oil being slow to pump back into the timing area after sitting for more than 6-8 hours. I spent thousands of dollars trying to fix the problem and couldn't. This is a problem with Nissan engines. Nissan they fixed the problem sometime around 2005, but failed to recognize or fix the many thousands of engines with the problem. Nissan sucks big time for this. My 2004 Infiniti FX35 was my first purchase away from Toyota and it will be my last. Nissan sucks AS>!
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
I'm getting the same grinding noise when I start the car. It seems like it only happens when the car is cold (been sitting for 6 hours) and it is cold outside (under 7 degrees celsius). I've taken it to the dealer and they said that they can't replicate the noise. Should I get them to check the timing chain tensioner? is there anything else that it could be?
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'm getting the same grinding noise when I start the car. It seems like it only happens when the car is cold (been sitting for 6 hours) and it is cold outside (under 7 degrees celsius). I've taken it to the dealer and they said that they can't replicate the noise. Should I get them to check the timing chain tensioner? is there anything else that it could be?
