noise from engine at > 2200 RPM

labradort · Feb 26th, 2004, 05:57 PM

I just bought a used 1998 Nissan Frontier 4x2 with 4 cylinder engine.
It is in pretty good condition but it was used for commuting and
has about 143,000 miles on it.

I previously owned a 1995 Toyota Tacoma and I have to say that
the Frontier beats it for ride comfort and seat comfort. The only
aspect that was a little nicer in the Toyota was the steering (rack
and pinion and double wishbone), but this isn't a big bonus on a truck.
The Frontier has 15" rims and other little things the Toyota doesn't.
Where the Frontier has a engine that makes a gyroscopic sound, the
Tacoma has very noisy solenoids on the fuel injectors. My wife now
confesses it drove her crazy.

I say these comments because on sites where these things
are rated by owners, I see a number of Nissan owners who
say that they wished they had a few more bucks
and bought a Tacoma. Well I've been on both sides of the fence and
I can tell you the grass isn't greener, it is just a little different.

I've been reading some things here and on the Internet
about possible sources of an unusual drivetrain related noise
on my Frontier. It sounds like a mild buzz/whirl/hiss and it
only kicks in at 2200 RPM, in any gear. This sound is heard
regardless of the engine or outside temperature.

I've seen people talking about timing chains, guides, pulleys, and so on,
but quite a few of them are regarding the older Nissan trucks
(Hardbody - pre 1998). Mine is a Frontier and so I don't know
if those bits of information may not apply.

I've already switched to Mobil 1 synthetic 10W30 and it sounds
exactly the same (wanted to do it regardless of the sound issue).

I'm taking it to my mechanic to have a look over on Monday (March 1st).

Does anyone have some hints on what to check on a high mileage
Frontier 4 cylinder engine or other parts that could be the issue?

Saff · Feb 29th, 2004, 06:27 PM

I just bought a new 2004 Frontier. It made the same buzzing noise that your talking about at 2,200rpm's. I took it to the dealer to see if they could find out what it was or where it was coming from. It ended up being some tubing along side the firewall that was vibrating only at 2,200rpm. They put some foam backing around it and I haven't had anymore engine noise since.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labradort

I just bought a used 1998 Nissan Frontier 4x2 with 4 cylinder engine.
It is in pretty good condition but it was used for commuting and
has about 143,000 miles on it.

I previously owned a 1995 Toyota Tacoma and I have to say that
the Frontier beats it for ride comfort and seat comfort. The only
aspect that was a little nicer in the Toyota was the steering (rack
and pinion and double wishbone), but this isn't a big bonus on a truck.
The Frontier has 15" rims and other little things the Toyota doesn't.
Where the Frontier has a engine that makes a gyroscopic sound, the
Tacoma has very noisy solenoids on the fuel injectors. My wife now
confesses it drove her crazy.

I say these comments because on sites where these things
are rated by owners, I see a number of Nissan owners who
say that they wished they had a few more bucks
and bought a Tacoma. Well I've been on both sides of the fence and
I can tell you the grass isn't greener, it is just a little different.

I've been reading some things here and on the Internet
about possible sources of an unusual drivetrain related noise
on my Frontier. It sounds like a mild buzz/whirl/hiss and it
only kicks in at 2200 RPM, in any gear. This sound is heard
regardless of the engine or outside temperature.

I've seen people talking about timing chains, guides, pulleys, and so on,
but quite a few of them are regarding the older Nissan trucks
(Hardbody - pre 1998). Mine is a Frontier and so I don't know
if those bits of information may not apply.

I've already switched to Mobil 1 synthetic 10W30 and it sounds
exactly the same (wanted to do it regardless of the sound issue).

I'm taking it to my mechanic to have a look over on Monday (March 1st).

Does anyone have some hints on what to check on a high mileage
Frontier 4 cylinder engine or other parts that could be the issue?

lovemysan · Mar 1st, 2004, 07:07 AM

Yes it definetly could be the tubing on the firewall. Either the plastic clips holding the brake or a/c lines to the firewall will be the culprit. Take a wad of paper and press it behind the lines near the plastic anchors to put a little pressure on them and see if that fixes it. If it does figure something more permanent out. I actually cut my heat sheild off before figuring this one out.

labradort · Mar 1st, 2004, 02:26 PM

I've been in the garage and my mechanic believes it could be
the idler pulley under the alternator (not the one on
the alternator).

By the way, my previous mechanic had warnings about
cutting away the heat shield. On many vehicles (not sure
what it protects in the Frontier) this shields the alternator
from a premature death from heat. He told me about a guy
who replaced his and decided to forget replacing the
heat shield. A month later he needed another alternator.

currykid3 · Mar 1st, 2004, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labradort

I've been in the garage and my mechanic believes it could be
the idler pulley under the alternator (not the one on
the alternator).

By the way, my previous mechanic had warnings about
cutting away the heat shield. On many vehicles (not sure
what it protects in the Frontier) this shields the alternator
from a premature death from heat. He told me about a guy
who replaced his and decided to forget replacing the
heat shield. A month later he needed another alternator.

bearing replacement part....Checker Auto Parts, part number 62032RSJ

labradort · Mar 4th, 2004, 02:38 PM

My mechanic used a generic bearing. It cost $2.50.

Two types of noise went away. One is a sound I thought
was normal - a sound like a gyroscope at idle and low RPMs.
The second sound is the one with more rattle and hiss, which
kicked in beyond 2200 RPM. Now I just hear a smooth engine
and the tires.

Thanks everyone...