My car is making a weird rattling noise half the time I start it (more often when it's been sitting for awhile). But it only lasts like a 1 second everytime it happens then it's gone. Car still runs and pulls hard no weird noises. Please me guys

 

Any oil in it?

 

Yeah it's never been below the L. And wouldn't the car rattle on acceleration? It doesn't I'm just scared rn

 

Probably nothing to worry about, might be a timing chain tensioner bleeding down oil or something. You could try a thicker grade of oil to see if it helps.

 

Isn't there something that I could replace like the tensioner or the chain? Will the chain break if I leave it for now? I still need a car for work.

 

Probably just the timing chain tensioner getting worn, if you have over 100k on the motor I would change it. Mine used to make noise like that on startup as well and the chain tensioner made the issue quite a bit better.

The tensioner is driven by oil pressure, it takes a second for the oil pressure to build up in the system to really push on the guide when you first start the engine.

Does yours make that noise every time the engine is started or just when you start it cold in the morning, mine wasn't quite as bad and only made that sound on a cold engine.

 

It happens more often when it's cold, but when it's warm usually almost never get the sound. Do you suggest I just change the tensioner? There's a easy way to get to it I believe I just take off that front capsol.

 

Yeah replaced it with an OEM Nissan tensioner, they're about $100. You take off a little access cover on the front of the timing chain cover to access it just make sure to follow the steps in the FSM because you have to rotate it a specific direction to get it out and DON'T DROP THE BOLTS into the timing chain cover...

 

got it, guess I'm making a trip to nissan/infinity. And what does fsm stand for? Forgive me for my lack of knowledge and thanks again 🙂

 

Factory Service Manual, it will be in section EM - Engine Mechanical.

https://www.nicoclub.com/infiniti-service-manuals

 

Thank you Cleric!

 

Mine would rattle if oil was around the mid-point or lower. Try topping off the engine oil and see if that helps.

 

I believe mine used to make that noise when it was lower on oil too...

 

I have owned Datsuns and Nissans, start up noise is not uncommon... But new noises always require checking the oil and normally they go away if you top it off