Posted: May 03 2007 at 4:28pm | IP Logged

I read most of the posts here to make sure that I was not duplicating a question that might have been answered.  I have also done research on Nissanhelp.com to find out about service issues.

So here goes...

I took my 05 Frontier Nismo Crew Cab in to the local dealer because the engine started whining at all rpm's.  Worse as you accelerate.  The first time, I was told that it was most likely an intake issue and there was an epoxy put on the intake...not the issue.

The second time I bring it in, I am told that it is most likely the timing chain tensioners need to be replaced and I would need to bring it back in because they needed to order the parts.  Once the parts were there it would take 3 days, as they needed to pull the engine.  Note, they also replaced the drive belt and tensioners.  I get a rental.

In just a day and a half, I get a call that it is done and the engine sounds much better.  I go to the dealership, get in my truck with the service advisor and the whining noise is still there!!!!!!!!  Much to my amazement, he says, "yeah, but it sounds better"...  But it's not gone I say!!!!

So I leave it another day and get a call that they cannot diagnose the issue and need to wait for Nissan USA technical to get back to them, but that I had to return the rental I had and take my truck home.  Again, to my amazement, I see the mechanic and he says, "it sounds better" and I say, "yeah, but sounding better and the whining noise being gone are two different things!"   I also confirm with them that the noise will not cause any other damage and it's safe to drive.  Well, you know the answers to those questions!

Ok, so that is my long winded story!  Anyone have any suggestions?  I love the truck!  It goes anywhere I need it too in the woods/beach and drives great on the highway. 

Please anyone suggestions at what it could be????

Thanks,

Don

Posted: May 04 2007 at 12:09am | IP Logged

..

05NismoCrew;

... Sorry I can’t help but to welcome you to the group. I have not yet heard a Nissan 4.0 engine run. The nearest dealer is about 35 miles out of my travel area. Maybe the Nissan Rep will solve the problem. Just stay as cool as you can…

Posted: May 04 2007 at 7:34am | IP Logged

Don,

     Thanks for the welcome!  Well, normally, the 4.0 engine is pretty quiet in comparison to the 3.3 XTerra that I had, which worked overtime to keep up. 

The sound that the engine makes now is like it has a supercharger on it!  That extra whine that you get when the supercharger kicks in.

When you refer to the Nissan Rep, is there someone regionally that the dealership would bring in to consult?

Anyway, I was cool yesterday, but if I take it back and they cannot figure it out yet again, I might not be as cool.  

Thanks,

Don O.

Posted: May 04 2007 at 4:21pm | IP Logged

it is most likely the tensioner pulley and belt.  it is a TSB.  the dealer should know about it.  it occurs on many 05+ xterras and frontiers.i've had mine done, and my dealer was signficantly better about it than what you have said.

Posted: May 04 2007 at 4:33pm | IP Logged

Don,

I have an 05 Xterra and it sounds like I also have the SAME issue. I believe the two vehicles share the same Q40 engine so when i didnt get any replies at the Xterra newsgroup, I thought I would try a frontier group.

Its a whine that gets noticeable around 2000 rpms. It does sounds like a supercharger or turbo type whine.

One dealer said that "they all make that noise".

I didnt hear the noise on the lot but he said that "if they dont make the noise, they eventually will"

I went to another dealer that did contact nissan. They are in the process of receiving timing chain related parts. At least they are going to replace things.

Hopefully the noise will not still be there when they are done. Basically I like the truck and dont really want to get rid of it.

Is Nissan going to do anything more for you? Are they admitting some problem that cant be fixed ? Replacing the engine?

Interesting to see what happens or if others get the same issue.

Posted: May 04 2007 at 4:46pm | IP Logged

Hsckris,

The serpentine belt and tensioner are covered in a TSB. If his noise is the same as mine, the noise occurs even with the belt removed.

It sounds like its coming from the timing chain area.

Posted: May 05 2007 at 6:02am | IP Logged

Thanks for all of the replies.  The big issue is that they have replaced the timing chain, tensioners and belts!  But it still makes the noise.  The worst now is when you first start it up and after 2000 rpm's.

Does anyone know if this has happened in any other year?  Or just on the 05's?

Thanks,

Don O.