2004 G35 Sedan 6MT 108,000 miles: I have a faint rattling noise from the front end of the car that occurs only during acceleration mainly between 2-3k RPMs. It sounds like a faint metallic wheel of fortune or bike wheel with something in the spokes. It is nonexistent when in neutral revving the engine, only happens in gear accelerating in that 2-3k range. There is no strange noise on startup either. I don't think it's a heat shield because it is inconsistent. It doesn't sound nearly as loud as any of the failed timing chain tensioner videos I have seen and is a higher pitch. Pads, rotors, and calipers are new, so it isn't the brakes. If anyone has an idea of what it could be, any advice is much appreciated.

 

Does it happen only in gear, only in neutral? Only when the clutch is pressed in or out?

My guess would be something failing on the stock dual mass flywheel if you're confident it's not an exhaust rattle.

 

It only happens when in gear and the accelerator pressed, not with the clutch pushed in. Someone told me it could be the catalytic converter because my exhaust is kind of smelly and my car idles low around 200 rpm. It's just strange how it comes and goes, today I drove 40 miles and didn't hear it once.