05 pathfinder. faint whining sound coming from engine

[mtbpath]

recently I started to hear a faint whining sound coming from or around the engine area. mostly when I rev I can hear it. cant tell what it is.
I've read some of the different post on belts & tranny.
just not sure what it could be. could it be motor related?
car has 66K miles.
it has been cold and raining in Los Angeles.
no major troubles.
belts look fine but has never been replaced.
when I am stopped or moving is when I can hear the sound on accelerating.
when I rev it up I can hear it get louder.
any ideas what this possible can be?
thanks.

[martyf250]

I have the same issue on my 05 with 73,000mi. From everything I've read it sounds like the timing chain shoes/ tensioner issue

[volvite]

Have you looked at the underside of the belt? Any cracking is signs of wear. Plus at 60k, I'd be looking into a new belt.

[aadadams]

Could cracks cause the noise?

[eieio]

if you suspect the belt, spray some water on it while the engine is running to hear if the noise changes or goes away (wear eye protection)
if there is no change, the belt is probably not the problem

[mtbpath]

the belt looks fine. but its sounds more like the internal of the motor.
I had someone stand in front with the hood open and I rev, its seem to be coming from the rear of the motor versus the front where the belt is.
whats internal that will cause a whining sound?
as stated by martyf250, can it be a timing chain or belt or a tensioner issue?
I'm thinking I'm going to need to take it in to dealer?

does anyone know how much it cost to replace belt?

thanks.

[Baedarlboo]

Our trucks have a timing chain, not belt. Timing chains are "suppose" to last the life of the car. But the tensioner and guide sometimes need replacement.

[dawgn86]

Mth

try changing the serpentine belt and see it if goes away..with 66k miles, it cant hurt and may be the cause of the whine.

could be a belt tensioner as well.

[mtbpath]

just wanted to update this and I'm rushing today with a busy scheduled.
but I dropped off the car at dealer this morning, told them about whining sound.
they inspected it and said its the beginning of a bad time chain.
I thought chain was suppose to last a long time.
just sad to know that the chain is going bad at 66k. car is so young.
I have an extended warranty but because they don't open on a saturday the dealer cannot ask if the work is covered. idiots.
anyways, just wanted to get this out and I will have more on my car later when I pick it up or not.
thanks. have a great weekend all.

[dawgn86]

Guys,

Im no mechanic by no means...but I have never heard of a timing chain " going bad"...and rarely have heard of a timing chain breaking..belts yes, chains, no. and at 66k miles?

[Baedarlboo]

Guys,

Im no mechanic by no means...but I have never heard of a timing chain " going bad"...and rarely have heard of a timing chain breaking..belts yes, chains, no. and at 66k miles?

True....but I've seen many timing chain guides, and tensioners go bad.
And if you're in there replacing those, you might as well do the chain too.

[LittleStevie]

Guys,

Im no mechanic by no means...but I have never heard of a timing chain " going bad"...and rarely have heard of a timing chain breaking..belts yes, chains, no. and at 66k miles?

It's not actually the chain that goes bad, but the secondary timing chain tensioners wear through, on some engines as early as 20,000 miles. There are several threads dealing with this, and you can start with Nissan technical service bulletin NTB07-042.

[martyf250]

I replaced my serpentine belt yesterday and that was not the source of the problem...needed to be replaced anyway. I called the dealer and they said they have seen a few of these issues already. I asked what they would charge just to diagnose and they said $119...unreal. Any way i need to start a paper trail somewhere and hopefully get the dealer to pay for it..only have 74,000mi....should not be something that goes wrong on a car

[dawgn86]

Have you checked your transmission fluid for the dreaded "milkshake" color?

[martyf250]

I have....looks fine....the noise is definitely coming from where the timing chains would be...top right of the engine from what i can hear