HELP! Funky noise immediately after starting

M

Mike005

Member
Location
Dallas, TX
Car
2004 Infiniti FX35 AWD
For a year now my car has intermittently made a grinding sound immediately after starting. Unfortunately, it only happens randomly, with days between each occurrence, so of course the dealer never hears it when we bring it in. At this point they think I'm delusional! They have replaced the starter, fly wheel, and searched everything related with no luck. Has anyone had this problem??
 
Mike005 said:
For a year now my car has intermittently made a grinding sound immediately after starting. Unfortunately, it only happens randomly, with days between each occurrence, so of course the dealer never hears it when we bring it in. At this point they think I'm delusional! They have replaced the starter, fly wheel, and searched everything related with no luck. Has anyone had this problem??
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I have this same exact problem for a year now also. Never. Roughy It up to the dealer as I know they will never hear it. It's exactly as you describe it too. Good luck and let us know if you ever fine the problem.
 
LOL....I must have every problem with our new FX that there is.....LOL...
I have this too - it's almost as if the starter receives another burst of voltage causing it to kick over again for a very short period while the flywheel is already moving.
We've had the car a couple three months now - and it's happen only maybe once.

If your dealer replaced everything you listed - they should have noticed something if it was that big of a deal. (flywheel missing teeth as an example)
 
Sorry for the delay, but I finally have more info on this

Just got the car back and they are saying this is a common problem! Common, even though they have not been able to figure this out for a year now!!! They say the noise is coming from the timing chain. The oil pressure falls when the car sits for more than a few hours, causing the timing chain to loosen up, causing it to "rattle" when started. I can't believe Infiniti knows about this and is ok with it. It's just a "harmless rattle":err:. Seriously, this is my first Infiniti and probably my last:tdown:. It's embarrassing taking clients out and having my car rattle when it starts. Can you imagine telling them "it's normal with Infiniti, it's an oil pressure thing". Anyway, I plan to discuss this with an Infiniti rep today. I will let you guys know the outcome.

(I have been taking it to 2 dealerships now: Sewell Infiniti in Dallas and Crest Infiniti in Plano)
 
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Mike005 said:
Just got the car back and they are saying this is a common problem! Common, even though they have not been able to figure this out for a year now!!! They say the noise is coming from the timing chain. The oil pressure falls when the car sits for more than a few hours, causing the timing chain to loosen up, causing it to "rattle" when started. I can't believe Infiniti knows about this and is ok with it. It's just a "harmless rattle":err:. Seriously, this is my first Infiniti and probably my last:tdown:. It's embarrassing taking clients out and having my car rattle when it starts. Can you imagine telling them "it's normal with Infiniti, it's an oil pressure thing". Anyway, I plan to discuss this with an Infiniti rep today. I will let you guys know the outcome.

(I have been taking it to 2 dealerships now: Sewell Infiniti in Dallas and Crest Infiniti in Plano)
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I think someone is confused. IMO, there is a big difference between a "grinding" sound (your first description) and a "rattling" sound (your second description). You said the dealer can't replicate the problem, so how do you know that both of you are referring to the same issue? Why would they replace the starter and flywheel for an oil pressure issue? Regardless, odd noises like you describe are not "normal with Infinitis", they are problems that need to be correctly diagnosed in order to be correctly addressed. If your techs can't reproduce the issue then unfortunately the burden is on you to try to provide them with evidence. If your clients can hear it from inside the cabin, chances are you can catch it on video. I would bust out your phone and shoot a 10 second video clip from the cabin every morning (or whenever the issue happens) for a few days in a row until you catch it.
Also, if you get a chance to capture your issue on video, post it here. There are a lot of very knowledgeable Infiniti owners here that would be more than happy to help. FWIW, my 2004 FX35 AWD can sit in my driveway for weeks and doesn't rattle or grind a bit upon start-up. Never has after 60K miles...
 
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Sound clip of Grinding/Rattling noise

I mentioned grinding because that's what it sounds like to me. I did record it on my phone and sent them the video, in which you can clearly hear the noise. After seeing the video, they kept the car for several days and were able to hear it, finally. That's when they told me it was a common problem caused by low oil pressure, which caused the timing chain to loosen up. I just got off the phone with an Infiniti rep and she said there is nothing they can do about it because, if the dealership says it's a common noise, well then, it's not a problem. I am so PISSED:mad.:! Both the dealership and the Infiniti rep absolutely refuse to put this in writing. The Infiniti rep with consumer affairs, Carlie, told me that they can't send out emails, because they do not have that ability.

Please listen to the clip sugarsync.com/pf/D635395_255481_838792 and let me know what you think. I'm extremely frustrated and it would be great to have another opinion.
 
well if you are the only one with that noise, How the heck is it a normal problem then? have you tried a different dealership? you can also have it inspected at some other reputed auto shop just to diagnose the problem and then get back to Infiniti for repairs. if it's getting worse or very loud, you shouldn't even drive the car until you've found out where the problem really is....
 
It's sort of hard to decipher if you don't know what you're listening for... I think I hear a little something abnormal in there.
The fact that the service tech used the phrase "low oil pressure" in his description of the issue implies that it is outside the realm of normal operation. If I was in your position, I would get the problem documented and fixed by a reputable shop asap, then keep talking to different people at Infiniti of America is hopes of recouping your expenses. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than myself can chime in on what could cause the low oil pressure, if that is in fact the culprit.
Have you found anyone else with a similar issue on this or any other forums? If it's such a common issue, you should be able to find others pretty easily. Don't forget the 350z/G35 owners...
 
Check your heat shields.

My rattle also started out just after startup and sporadically. It would go away soon after it warmed up a bit (metal expanded as it warmed up and no longer made contact is my guess.)

At first I thought I had a bad/sticking piston or bad belt but the rattle went away when I removed the the heat shields from the catalytic converter on back. They were rusted pretty bad.

Check out my other post here /forum/showthread.php?t=4642
Sorry, i dont have enough posts to link yet...
 
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The same thing happened to me earlier this summer. As soon as I start the car, I would get the vibration sound too. It did it for a few days and it hasn't come back in like four months or more. It definitely sounds like something to do with the heat shields or exhaust.
 
I do not know if this is the same problem you guys are having but tonight I was revving my car right after turning it on and a noticeable grinding kind of sound came up when I stepped on the peddle. I reved it again and the sound was there but getting softer and softer until it went away. After a drive the grind was completely gone.

I shut off the car and came back to it an hour later. Again doing the same thing I was doing before. Had the car in park, reved it, and again there was a small grinding sound, drove it for a bit and it was gone.

The grinding sound didn't came right away after start up, only when I was stepping on the peddle, right after start up. Is this sort of the problem you guys are having? If not, then does anybody know what I'm talking about? Or is my FX screwing me over?

My FX is completely stock btw, if that helps a bit...
 
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So, 2 years later and I still haven't figured this out. Car is currently at the dealership for another attempt to fix it. Incredible. This is a link to the audio. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!sugarsync. com/pf/D635395_60657675_6052886
 
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