Cold Start Engine Noise

Tiny
EISEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48,000 MILES
Hello, I was hoping someone could help me diagnose this cold start noise from my engine. After the engine warms up I don't hear it for the rest of the day. Please see the attached video clip, any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 10:38 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hello and thanks for using 2carpros! To me that sounds like the drive belt tensioner is hitting it's maximum extension, meaning that the drive belt has become too stretched for the tensioner to compensate for. If so, it would be time to replace the belt. If you could raise the hood and take a video that shows each pulley as they turn and take some decent quality pictures of the belt itself (both sides, particularly the ribbed side) I can make a better educated judgment on it. If that's not it, then you may be looking at a timing belt that's become loose and is slapping around a bit. You'd need to have that replaced ASAP. Failing to do so could result in very expensive engine damage. But to me it sounds like that drive belt tensioner is at it's maximum extension and you need a new belt.

I'm attaching information on how to check and change the belt in this specific car in the images below.

Check into that and report back here what you find. Hopefully this gets you straightened out.

- Harry
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
EISEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much for the prompt reply. That makes a lot of sense. I actually just had the drive belt replaced a few weeks ago and after that is when I started noticing the noise.
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 12:01 PM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Ah okay, if that's the case I'd take it back to the shop and have them go over it again and check the strength of the tensioner pulley. It may need to be replaced as well. Especially if they turned the bolt counterclockwise, like Prodemand warned us not to do.

Definitely get it looked at ASAP though, because if it is the timing belt, you want to address that before you need a new engine. Let us know what happens.

Harry
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Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
EISEN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much Harry I will definitely keep you posted.
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Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 AT 8:13 AM

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