I don't think it'll get worse, but your tires will wear out faster. Whats cheaper? Replacing the Compression rod at $300 or so? Or Replacing the tires at $900+.

 

Only the front tires, right?

 

Oh yeah, that is correct.

 

I will have to replace them sometime in near future anyway. Guess I will hold on to both and get it done together.

Thanks for the help Jibber!

 

The noise is back with a vengeance. I seriously doubt it is compression rod bushings. First, it seems to be coming from under the steering/dashboard area on driver's side. Any ideas what there could be vibrating?

And it doesn't make the noise when going over the bumps or bad road. Just at highway speeds and when accelerating. It stops as soon as I let go of gas. Or if I press in the clutch and rev the engine even while moving, no sound.

I will try to capture the sound and post a clip here. Can this be engine knocking? Any one got good clips of engine knocking sounds from inside the cabin?

 

I managed to get a clip with the noise. It is not super clear but can be heard. The noise I am talking about starts at 10s mark and lasts for couple of seconds. There is a lot of wind noise thanks to shitty cabin noise in our gs but it can be still heard. This noise seems to be coming from somewhere lower dash or under the dash/steering wheel are (i.e. drivers side). I was holding the camera in my left hand and it leveled just below the left most air vent.

Here is the link to the video:

Couple of notes, I think this noise only comes when going uphill even so slightly. I am not sure about hearing it downhill and I cant think of anytime I heard it on flat road. And it only comes when I accelerate. At constant gas input, no noise. If I let go of gas, noise stops. If I press in the clutch and rev the engine, no noise again even if the car is moving.

I just changed oil last week and its level is good. The engine sounds fine running in any other condition. I use premium gas only.

Also it only happens at highway speeds or 40mph+ but never at low speeds. And in any gear except for first (well I don't its a good idea to be in first gear at 40+mph anyway) and usually between 2k - 4k rpm.

So what do you guys think is this noise? Thanks for the help in advance!

 

Here is another clip with much clearer noise that I am talking about. You can hear quite clearly at 35-36 second mark.



Any ideas?

 

Update:

I had it put up on a lift and checked everything underneath for rattle. No luck. I have showed it to an independent mechanic (only the clip as the noise doesn't come always and usually not when at a mechanic) and he couldn't find anything wrong with it either and says he wouldn't worry about it.

Then I took it to Infiniti and showed them the clip, they said it sounds like something loose in the dash and definitely not engine or transmission or anything serious. He said unless it comes all the time, it will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

So I am a little relieved but still not completely at ease. I sort of have and ocd with this car. So if anyone has any ideas, please share I will appreciate that.

 

Update:

I had it put up on a lift and checked everything underneath for rattle. No luck. I have showed it to an independent mechanic (only the clip as the noise doesn't come always and usually not when at a mechanic) and he couldn't find anything wrong with it either and says he wouldn't worry about it.

Then I took it to Infiniti and showed them the clip, they said it sounds like something loose in the dash and definitely not engine or transmission or anything serious. He said unless it comes all the time, it will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

So I am a little relieved but still not completely at ease. I sort of have an ocd with this car. So if anyone has any ideas, please share I will appreciate that.

 

I will try this out as soon as I get a chance and post update here. Thanks Kidtronix.

 

No idea wth that is. I have that noise too. But not as loud. Somewhere inside the dash. Seems to be a NORMAL problem.

Seems to be a widespread issue. And like the dealership said, it'll be like finding a needle in the haystack.

----------
Here are some of the TSB for it:

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Bulletin Number: ITB02028A
Bulletin Date: SEP 2002

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A SQUEAK, CREAK, OR RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH OR BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 635640 )


BODY Bulletin Number: 03052
Bulletin Date: SEP 2004

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
SQUEAK AND RATTLE REPAIR. COUPE ONLY. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10003435 )


REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES Bulletin Number: 04046
Bulletin Date: SEP 2004

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
RATTLE NOISE FROM REAR VIEW MIRROR HARNESS COVER. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10009749 )


Bulletin Number: 04035
Bulletin Date: AUG 2004

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
RATTLE NOISE FROM REAR SIDE WINDOW FINISHER. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10009175 )


BODY Bulletin Number: 03052A
Bulletin Date: JAN 2004

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
SQUEAK AND RATTLE REPAIR. COUPE ONLY. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10005688 )


BODY: DOOR Bulletin Number: 03071
Bulletin Date: DEC 2003

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
RATTLE OR CREAK NOISE FROM TOP OF DOOR WINDOW FRAME. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10005263 )


FRAME AND MEMBERS Bulletin Number: 03017A
Bulletin Date: JUL 2003

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
REAR PARCEL SHELF BUZZ OR RATTLE. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10003437 )


STRUCTURE Bulletin Number: 02028A
Bulletin Date: SEP 2002

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
CREAK OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10000129 )


BODY: DOOR Bulletin Number: ITB02021A
Bulletin Date: JUL 2002

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
CONCERNS WITH RATTLE OR BUZZ NOISE FROM FRONT DOOR PANEL(S). ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 635047 )


BODY: DOOR Bulletin Number: ITB02021
Bulletin Date: APR 2002

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
SUBJECT REGARDING RATTLE OR BUZZ NOISE FROM FRONT DOOR PANEL(S). ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 631189 )


WINDSHIELD Bulletin Number: ITB02028
Bulletin Date: APR 2002

Vehicle: 2003 Infiniti G35
Summary:
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, CREAK OR RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 635057 )

 

@Kidtronix: I do have extended warranty but I don't think it is the clutch/flywheel. I did what you suggested and nothing unusual sound or vibration. It all feels good. And I had my whole transmission along with clutch/flywheel replaced under warranty like only 15k miles ago.

The noise comes back and goes but I haven't heard it recently. It is probably something rattling here and there but I gave up.

These cars are notorious for being rattle pits anyway. Like the long list Jibber posted above.

Just enjoy the performance of the car and sweet g exhaust!

I will update if I make any progress and would appreciate if someone comes up with what is that noise or where it could be coming from.

 

I had a very similar problem. For me I narrowed it down to the heat shields underneath my car. The heat shields were tight, so while on the hoist I sprayed in and around the heat shields with a pressure washer and managed to dislodge a large number of small rocks that were "ticking" up on the shields. I'd recommend doing the same before you start to worry about massive repair bills. Our cars are fairly low and do tend to pickup alot of small rocks and such. Don't assume the worst, alot of the time it can be something so miniscule and simple you can do it yourself.

 

That actually sounds like a good idea. I have checked the heat shields already and they were tight. But I didn't think of checking if any small rocks for stuck up there. I will have to find a way to put it up on the lift and spray it with air or water.