[Culito]

2005 4.0L V6

There is a metallic chirping / squealing noise coming from the engine area over 2000RPM, so every time I shift or I'm on the highway, it's constant.

This started a while ago, and I have changed, in this order:

-Alternator
-Belt
-Belt tensioner
-Fan clutch
-Idler pulley

Still no change. I'm at a loss. It seems like it could be anything turned by the belt or even the aftermarket parts I've already replaced, which is frustrating.

It's pretty annoying / embarrassing to drive at the moment. Any ideas?

I feel like the water pump might be the next thing to check.

 

[jon_bransford]

Mine does the same thing but seems lower on the engine like a/c.
I have ignored it by turning the gains up on the amp and make the exhaust louder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cruisinthehighway]

It could be the timing belt.

 

[Culito]

It could be the timing belt.

Well, it has a timing chain, and that makes noise too (tensioner saddles).
And so do the u-joints. All are on the fix-it list, after I get this damn noise figured out...

 

[jon_bransford]

Timing chains have a metal slap like a bicycle chain.
Water pump is a low pitched grinding sound, normally the bearing goes bad and will notice blue or green coolant leak on floor or smell it.
Also have you checked power steering?

Try removing belt and start it and listen for it if you still hear it then it could be something internal
But if it goes away you could have a misalign pulley or something belt driven.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Culito]

Timing chains have a metal slap like a bicycle chain.
Water pump is a low pitched grinding sound, normally the bearing goes bad and will notice blue or green coolant leak on floor or smell it.
Also have you checked power steering?

Try removing belt and start it and listen for it if you still hear it then it could be something internal
But if it goes away you could have a misalign pulley or something belt driven.

Good point, and I'm not seeing any coolant leaking. There's just so much crap on the front of the engine, and it's so noisy up there, it's hard to pinpoint.

 

[Culito]

I'm starting to think it's a belt squeal. Now I'm wondering if the aftermarket tensioner I installed isn't giving the serp belt enough tension. Is there a way to measure the proper amount of belt tension via deflection or something?

 

[jon_bransford]

Should be like a quarter of a inch of slack when you push down on the belt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hainsey05]

Culito,

I hope this isn't the case but you might have a broken timing chain guide. I've got a 2005 V6 as well and back in summer of 2006 I noticed a metallic-like friction noise coming from the engine compartment that was more pronounced at about 2000+ RPM. Took it to one dealership and they changed the idler pulley and said the noise was gone...drove off the lot making the same noise (not cool). Took it to the other dealership near me and they discovered that 2 timing chain guides had broken and the noise was caused by the timing chain drooping and rubbing along another guide below it. They had it for a couple weeks and it is a serious repair (have to remove the front engine cover). At the time I had this issue there was only one other similar model/year in the country that had this problem.

Hope this helps diagnose your issue but I REALLY hope this isn't your issue.

 

[Culito]

I appreciate the response. It's a possibility.

And...the timing chain does make noise, but it's more of a "whirr" than a squeal (separate issue). I bought an entire timing chain kit (all timing chains, tensioners and guides, oil and water pump) and had planned on doing that whenever I get up the motivation. It's a big project. I'm studying the write-ups on this site.

 

[Culito]

Just a follow-up.

I did the timing chain tensioners (a nightmare) and the squeal was still there. The secondary tensioners were shot, so at least the whole shebang wasn't in vain. However!
I put a new serpentine belt on, and it squealed for a while, and now...quiet. I've done this before, and the "fix" lasted a few years. So, I guess every few years I'll put a new belt on. Weird.

Somewhere in the middle of this mess I installed a brand new fan clutch, and now it seems like the fan is ALWAYS engaged. Not sure what's up with that....

Now on to U-joints and a fuel gauge sender.

 

[jon_bransford]

On my third fan clutch
They stay engage for the first block then disengaged my father truck does the same thing.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FitzIngarage]

Not sure if it would apply, but Nissan TSB NTB06-072a of 04/18/2007 Drive Belt Noise (applicable to 2005-2007 Frontiers with the VQ-40) notes that on some builds, the power steering pump isn't properly aligned. The TSB offers photos to check and presents a fix if the problem is present.

This is probably not the cause of your noise, as you've replaced the belt and that would fix it temporarily.

My '06 has this problem. I tried to work the TSB (and it's a pain), but couldn't get my power steering pump to free up so that I could straighten it. The hour was late, so I threw in the towel and bolted everything up as it was. I'll try it again someday.

 

[FitzIngarage]

Just a random thought, but could you have a worn and stuck brake pad? The metallic strip that alerts to wear would begin to ride on your rotor. If you tap your brakes at speed, does the noise remain unabated? It's an unlikely source, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[Culito]

Not sure if it would apply, but Nissan TSB NTB06-072a of 04/18/2007 Drive Belt Noise (applicable to 2005-2007 Frontiers with the VQ-40) notes that on some builds, the power steering pump isn't properly aligned. The TSB offers photos to check and presents a fix if the problem is present.

This is probably not the cause of your noise, as you've replaced the belt and that would fix it temporarily.

My '06 has this problem. I tried to work the TSB (and it's a pain), but couldn't get my power steering pump to free up so that I could straighten it. The hour was late, so I threw in the towel and bolted everything up as it was. I'll try it again someday.

I was wondering about this, but I did unbolt everything belt-driven when I did the timing chains. I figured that when I bolted everything back up there might be some change, but no.

It is related to engine RPM. It would do it when sitting in the driveway if I revved the engine. The new belt seems to have fixed it temporarily.

 

[Tylerfocht]

Have you tried the a.c. compressor? Maybe the internal crankshaft of the compressor is failing causing the harshness. Mine typically only makes the metallic whining noise under load, when the a.c. fan is on (figured this out and seems to be a major contributor to the grinding metallic noise, maybe electical related where a signal isn't strong enough or grounded. Idk) was also thinking power steering, but it is on the opposite side, but maybe this being a tiny bit loose and causing misalignment would cause a metallic squeal from the belt being warped and under load just adds to the tension so one pulley scrapes on the front of the engine or maybe the a.c. clutch or bearing is shot. Just trying to pick this convo back up. I need all new cats again. Have this noise as well as the chatter from the tensioner arms in the timing chain case. Seems aggravating. Also changed the radiator fan clutch, idler pulley, tensioner and bracket, only other components on the upper left (driver side) of the engine are the internal water pump, maybe the blades wore down internally, or the a.c. compressor and clutch, which I was told to also replace the a.c. condesor if the compressor goes bad in case there were any metal shards that could cause more issues. Thinking it could just be the bearing and a.c. compressor clutch and hopefully not the entire compressor unit. Hope to rectify this and get some suspension components and the new catalytic components and drive it for another decade

 

[disallow]

Somewhere in the middle of this mess I installed a brand new fan clutch, and now it seems like the fan is ALWAYS engaged. Not sure what's up with that....

OE or aftermarket fan clutch? I put an aftermarket one (not sure on manufacturer) and it sounded like I was driving a hovercraft after that. I returned it and spent the extra $$ on an OE one ($60 more if I recall), and it was quiet as a church mouse after that.

 

[Tylerfocht]

It was loud before, now it is quiet when the fan is off, but if you turn the truck off when the fan is on, it usually starts with it on. If you let it cool down and then shut off, it sometimes stays on, but always idles quietly after a little warm up. I hope my issues are solved by revamping and sealing my exhaust with new components and gaskets. Might also get exhaust manifolds if they look bad. New hoses and clean my maf sensor and see if I can get it idling and running smoother. Feel as though I might have a bad bearing or shaft somewhere. Or one of my pulleys is loose on one side causing grinding on the opposite pulley which could have damaged it that way. Not 100 percent. My power steering pump had a bit of play, but it's on opposite side of the drive belt from the source of the grind. Thinking a.c. compressor or internal water pump blades. Or misalignment.