high idle at startup

[kingfisher73]

Hello All.
Up here in Canada..with the colder Temps. .I am seeing high idle when I first turn the key on..it comes down..but it's when the pan is full of oil...can it not be bad for that to happen..this am -16 it reved up pretty high...
I can't see this being good for an engine with the oil cold and all down low..
anyone else have this..?

[BCpathy]

Same here in BC. I am researching the possibility of an engine block heater.

[Kestral]

It's normal for the VQ40DE V6 in the Pathfinder as well as all the other trucks Nissan put this motor in to do the same high idle on cold start. The high idle does not seem to effect the lifespan of the V6 so I would not worry about it.

[kingfisher73]

I have started using my block heater...and it makes a huge difference..if it's cold out..the engines lifters rattle like crazy...but if I plug it in..there's no rattle...all good.

[Kestral]

I have started using my block heater...and it makes a huge difference..if it's cold out..the engines lifters rattle like crazy...but if I plug it in..there's no rattle...all good.

I'm sure it does make a huge difference just knowing the different way my motor sounds at +70 to -10 the noise difference is big. I am sure in wear as well.

[smj999smj]

Lifters shouldn't rattle as they are solid. You might be hearing "piston slap," which isn't uncommon on the VQ and a number of other engines. As the piston expands due to the heat, it better fits the cylinder bore and quiets down.