Just bought a week ago, whining noise under acceleration.

[Miles042091]

Hello all, I just bought a 2008 pathfinder 4.0l v6 se from a GM dealer with 95k on it. I absolutely love it but a few days ago i noticed a light (quite ) whining noise under light acceleration. When you let off throttle noise disappears. I pit it in drive held the brakes, revved up engine until i herd noise. At about 1500rpm you can here it. Sounds like its comming from the engine area on driver side. Not under vehicle but in the morning im going to drive it around the block and warm it up and have the wife rev it up to 1500rpmto see if i can hear it. Does this sound like the timing chain and tensioners? Just to make sure it wasnt tranny i checked fluid and smells unburnt and is clean (yellowish in color). I didnt buy and extended warranty so all i have is 1 month/1000mile warranty. Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Path-Less]

Is it a whining/hum sound and does it stay consistent with revs and speed or get louder? the timing chain issue is very common with the v6 and i would guess its the culprit. get it fixed under warranty if you can otherwise its ~$1200 repair at Nissan.

goodluck!

[Miles042091]

Its pretty consistent. It almost sounds like a supercharger whine but quieter. When im driving i can hear it on accel. And the after i take my foot off the throttle it goes away a split second later. And when i lightly give it more gas it starts up and so on.

[skinny2]

You don't have the AC running do you (defaults to "ON" with the auto climate control)? That is where I hear a whining noise on mine.

[smj999smj]

Go to YouTube and search "Nissan Frontier timing chain whine" and there and you can hear for yourself what the dreaded timing chain whine sounds like. It can occur in 05-10 Nissan Pathfinders/Xterras/Frontiers with the V6.

[Miles042091]

Nope ac is off and still whines.

[Path-Less]

As SMJ said, checkout some YouTube videos for the timing chain. Also, look into the front differential if its 4wd. Front differentials can whine with the exact diagnoses you gave, with 95K I wouldn't think its the Differential but it wouldn't hurt to change the fluid. I use redline fluid 75w-90 gear oil GL-5. OEM fluid is conventional gear oil 80w-90.
Your choice I just prefer redline fluids.

[smj999smj]

Usually if it's the timing chain, you can duplicate the noise when not moving by revving the engine. I always compare the noise to a power steering pump that's on it's way out, like on old Fords.

[Miles042091]

Yea i can make it happen when shes in park too. Rev it up to 1500rpm and you can hear it from then on up. And yea it does sound like a P.S whine. Thats actually where i started looking lol. Im bringing it to the dealer monday or tuesday though. I just hope its nothing serious. Thank you everyone! Il keep this updated as things go on.

[smj999smj]

I'd bet money that you'll need to replace the upper timing chains and tensioner faces. There's a TSB (NTB09-128) on it and you can download a copy of it here:

http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/local_li ... 0&keyid=43

[Miles042091]

*update* Just got back from the dealer ship I bought the pathfinder from and they said the whining noise/buzzing nosie is normal at that mileage (96k ). I call bullshit. I have an apt. With the nissan draler friday to get an estimate on what wrong to bring back to the dealer. Im am very pissed about this and am going right back to the dealer afer i visit nissan friday to speak with the service manager with an estimate friday. They say the nosie is from the variable valve timing. So their telling me everyone is running around with this annoying high pitch buzzing nosie after 96k miles? Yea ok. Their just trying to cover their ass and not pay up and do what needs to be done. I could keep writing but just an update and im pretty upset with this dealership. I even gave them the TSB number when i dropped it off that describes my issue to a T.

[Miles042091]

** update 2** Brought it to nissan and the noise was caused by a aftermarket oil filter. Put a new oem nissan filter on noise is now gone. The difference in the filters is the oem one has angle cuts in the metal sleeve inside where as aftermarket ones have just round holes. So its something to do with how the oil pressure is regulated through the filter. Thank you everyone for the help! Much appreciated!

[porksoda]

Awesome! I am glad you got this issue resolved.

[porksoda]

I am getting a little bit of a whine during acceleration lately. I have used a Purolator filter and just recently a Fram Ultra Syn filter. I'll have to put a Genuine Nissan Filter to see if that help.

[Kestral]

If that's the case then we all should be useing Nissan oil filters? I suppose some filters could be more restrictive. What brand filter was it that was causing the restrictive oil flow?