Posted: Jun 04 2010 at 8:43pm | IP Logged

I finally had the time to spend checking out my noise- Thanks FrontierGuy you were right. I cannot believe that a loose (had three total)  exhaust sheild could make that much noise at 1 certian rpm only. Recently before I crawled under the truck I noticed when the truck was cold it would rattle just pulling out slow. I used hose clamps and replaced all the rusted off straps on the sheilds. The noise is gone and I'm happy. It really sounded like someone was beating on the engine with a hammer very fast. Thanks again! Maybe this will help someone else. On another subject I just came back from a long Memorial Day at camp. I haulded a 3000# utility trailer full of slate (from my property) 110 miles back home and this truck pulled and handled like a dream. Had more than enough power for the mountains. I love this truck more every day. This was the first time I pulled anything heavy with this truck. Could have more powerful brakes though?

Posted: Jan 02 2011 at 7:32pm | IP Logged

The rattle/ping noise is back and its not a sheild loose this time (I think). After I tighten/replaced the exhaust shield clamps the noise seemed to be almost gone for a while. On Saturday I had the hood open and set the rpms to about 2200-2300 rpm(where the noise is ONLY) and the noise seemed to be coming from the intake manifold collecter area close to the vaccum acutator for power valve (may not be the proper terminology-looked at picture on service manual) at the front of the motor-when the noise was present the vaccum arm was in one position then it would snap to another position and the noise would stop. Does anyone know what this is and the function of it?? I disconnected the vaccum line and plugged the nipple on the intake and test drove it for about 1/2 mile and there was no rattle/ping at all. I then pulled off cap from the nipple and reconnected the vaccum line and the noise is back. Do I have to replace the plastic intake?? Thanks in advance for any info.

Posted: Jan 16 2011 at 6:20pm | IP Logged

Opetech,

Coincidentally, I just spent this weekend fixing this exact problem. The reason that the noise is coming from the intake manifold is due to the Variable Induction Control System (VIAS) valve, located on the manifold towards the front of the engine. Apparently, there is a design flaw of some kind that causes the valve to rattle at 2200rpm, which is when the valve actuates (using air pressure or vacuum) and opens. Nissan has released a technical service bulletin (NTB05-015b) to address the issue, and it is an easy fix, requiring a couple of spots of a specific 3M epoxy (DP-190, ~$18, available through either McMaster-Carr or Grainger). The TSB is a bit difficult to locate, so let me know if you can't find it, and I will e-mail it to you (I haven't figured out how to attach it here).

Good luck!

Posted: Jan 16 2011 at 7:49pm | IP Logged

Thanks,

I will see if I can locate the TSB. If I can't find it I will let you know. I'm glad someone else has experienced this problem as it was very hard to describe. Thanks again!!

Randy

Posted: Jan 16 2011 at 8:52pm | IP Logged

I looked for almost 2 hours and found tons of references to this TSB but could not find it to read or download- seems from reading many posts on this in other forums the part was replaced and not repaired?? What did you do to yours?? My e-mail is r1snyder@epix.net   Thanks again!