Rattle noise when start up

[meghan02]

i have an 02 altima and every time at startup (when car has been sitting for more than an hour) i hear this loud rattle noise. i cant figure out what it is.
i was wondering if anyone has had, or knows what it is?

[NissanTech]

Is the noise coming from the engine compartment? You should start by checking the oil level and condition.

[meghan02]

yes, the noise is coming from the engine. oil is fine, just had oil changed.

[sergey85]

u got the 3.5 engine??

[meghan02]

no, i have the 2.5 .

[tworhythms]

I will almost guarantee you that it is the timing chain. The 2.5 is notorious for timing chain noise at startup. It will not damage anything, it is just annoying and will get worse (more frequent) over time. Others claim that changing the brand of oil filter helps. As I understand it the only way to get rid of it is to change the tensioners and guides.

[RedForman]

Get your exhaust shields checked. Nissan puts shields on every inch on the exhaust. This is a very common issue on Altimas. Do not have them replaced. They are not a necessity.

[drnova]

does the noise go away after a few seconds or is it a constant? Nissans are known to have all of the oil drain to the pan and you will get the rattle at start up until the oil has pressureized and made its way to the top of the engine.

[meghan02]

the noise sounds every time the car has been off for atleast 3 hours. it sounds for like maybe 2 seconds...( but its really annoying) happens all the time.

[cpycrawler]

Sounds like a starter to me

[jose.p]

I have a 03 altima with 2.5l and its doin the same noise at start up did you figure out what it was.

[meghan02]

Sorry to say, no I never did get that fixed and the Nissan mechanics did not know what I was talking about.
All I know is that one time I took it in to get my brakes done, and after for a couple of days it wouldn't make the noise. Maybe something was moved around while they were taking off the brakes and the rotors.
I had to get a new starter, and that wasn't the cause of it either. I tried everything to get rid of the noise, nothing worked.
EXCEPT one thing.... I got rid of that car for an 08 3.5 SE Altima Coupe.
Sorry that I don't have the answer to fixing that annoying sound.

[roni102]

I also have that kind of noise in split of second to max. 2 seconds. It is normal on QR25DE. I had it since 60k miles until now 110k miles. Just ignore it, you don't need to spend $1000 for replacing tensioner and guides but it will comeback several thousand miles since it is a design problem.

[jose.p]

so RONI102 you say that is normal?why? i use to work for mazda dealeship and the cx-7 and mazda3 had problem with rattle at start up and had to replace vvt actuater on the intake cam. thats what would fixed that problem but just got this nissan like 2 months ago had a bad engine due to CAT breaking up and gettin sucked into engine so replaced it with a remanufacture marshall engine $1800 now its making that noise at start up it wont do it over night the next morning when cold but only when i drive it for a while 20-30 miles and let it sit while engine is still kinda hot about after 15-20 mins restart it and there it is a rattle noise coming from timing chaing cover(upper side) if you have anything else let me know ill appreciate thanks

[roni102]

YOu must have 2002 or 2003 altima. I agree that it might be the cvtc actuator/camsprocket but I am not bothered to replace it since it doesn't harm the engine. Only 50% of cold startup do that. There is a recall for VQ engine the CVT sprocket but not for QR. It could be : CVTC sprocket, selenoid, or timing chain tensioner+guide. Its better to replace all of them because the labor cost $$$$.