Strange Noise Nissan Xterra, underhood

[Louis Reed]

So I;ve had this noise for a few years. The problem with diagnosing it is its vary intermittent. I cannot seem to replicate it but if the noise is happening I can make it stop by feathering the gas pedal. No lights or codes. Currently 175,000 on the odometer.

History of vehicle since I’ve owned it.

Timeing chains at around 70,000 right before we bought it.
Oil pressure swich (Gauge was reading 0 psi, Nissan dealer diagnosed it as the swich itself Which i then replaced)

Valve cover gasket, the intake tube and pleniem were removed and cleaned since i had them off. ( once by dealer and again by me about two years later, theirs leaked, three years later mine still has no leak. :))

pcv valve, plugs, regular oil changes and maintenance.

I have access to a Snap-On Solus with I believe 12.2 software(I don’t remember what quarter just the year)

Most recently I replaced the driverside window moter and heater hose(was leaking where the plastic meets the aluminium tube) and

The only was i can think to describe it is like putting a stiff piece of wire (house wire) in a fast moving fan.

I was able to record the noise once but it was vary brief. Sometimes the noise happens at highway speeds coasting. Below is the sound clip with a picture of the vehicle. Any help is much appreciated.

[video width=550 height=309 type=youtube]Gp0a-1d0irY[/video]

Topic

[Louis Reed]

Oh and btw I’ve read the “Finding Noises” information. However since the problem is so intermittent and only happens while driving.

[Louis Reed]

Bump

[college man]

Have you checked the fan?

[Louis Reed]

Sounds obvious lol

Yes I have. Nothing there.

[college man]

[quote=”Wyley87″ post=102759]Sounds obvious lol

Yes I have. Nothing there.[/quote]

I’m at work I have no sound right now. will listen to the clip later when home.

[college man]

At first it sounds like detonation. but the noise part not sure.
You may want a mechanics stethoscope on this one.

[Louis Reed]

I try the long screwdriver trick but to no avail. Problem is so damn intermittent. If I could get the noise at idle I’m sure I could find its really fast since its loud. I just got an email from my dad. He said it sounds hollow like a water pump pulley or something like that. It is steel rubbing on something.

[Pat]

I had a noise similar to this on my pathfinder a couple years ago. Here’s the sound mine was making.

[video width=550 height=309 type=youtube]bGchOUdr35M&list=UUO4E9j_KpIbg[/video]

I took off the accessory belts and spun all the pullys and the idler pully was rougher than the rest. I swapped the pully and bearing assembly for a new unit and haven’t hear the sound since.

Hope this helps

[EricTheCarGuy]

It does sound rotational. It might not be a bad idea to check the drive pulleys as suggested for starters. I know you say you read this but I’m posting it for those that read this thread that might have similar issues as it contains information on how to locate noises like this.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car

Keep us posted.

[Louis Reed]

Ok I’ll start looking when I get home.

Work outside all day just to work outside when I get off…. Smh

Good news is my spill free funnel comes in today, I need it for the same car. Developed a coolant leak where the aluminum heater core line meets with the plastic fitting. Nissan did away with the air bleed nipple that was there..

Oh yea if it matters that sound clip was recorded about 4 years ago.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Keep us posted on what you find.

Bleeder valves are only there to make filling the system easier. They’re not required to bleed the system. For that you can follow this procedure minus the bleeder valve part. Do everything else the same though.

[Author]

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