RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

This has been going on for about a week or two now and I wanted to see if anyone could identify or pin point what I'm hearing. I attached a quick video clip, sound was coming from my wheel well - this is where it is the loudest. Popping the hood and from the engine compartment the sound is barely audible. This leads me to believe it is not the VVEL tap everyone seems to talk about but I'm not 100% sure. My first thought was a rod knocking...

The tapping is always upon startup and while in low RPMS/idling. The severity of the tapping also varies as well. Sometimes it's louder than hell, other times it's subtle. The only thing that is for sure is that the tapping ceases once RPMS reach 3-4 k.

Looking for suggestions so when I take it into the dealer I can point them in the right direction. Thanks.

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like marbles. What mods and mileage? Guessing it's rod knock but hard to tell remotely.

Edit: Auto or manual transmission?

crookncastle

couldn't tell what you were filming at and video is super short. are you sure the noise isn't coming from your catalytic convertor?

RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

Video is shot from the wheel well on driver's side. Short video due to limitations of video length.

Car has Stillen CAI and 39,00X miles.

Car is a 7AT

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

The 7AT rules out a throwout bearing...flex plate could be bad. What year? Just because it goes away at 3K rpm doesn't mean it's not a bearing issue. The BMW M3 (E92) guys would get knock around 1200rpm that would go away at higher rpm.

No engine lights? Any codes? Assuming you change your oil regularly and check the level.

Could also be a pulley bearing on the front of the engine.

RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

It's a 2012 so the rear gasket issue is a no-go.

No codes at all. Fresh oil change with manual recommended weight and Mobil 1 full-synthetic. Levels are maxed.

With the hood popped, and standing in front of the car the sound is not as audible. From the driver's side and if you crouch down beside the wheel it is un-mistakable.

I listened to some clips of both a VVEL tick and a rod knock and I want to say that isn't the case but my gut is telling me otherwise. Thoughts on popping the stock airboxes back on? Really not trying to get hassled due to the Stillen Gen 3. Common knowledge that a CAI is nowhere near enough to cause a knock but you know how dealerships can be.

crookncastle

your cai is not the cause of that rattle unless its totally unsecured and hitting on come other engine compartment component. noise does not seem like valve train noise. i would suggest climbing under your car with the engine running and checking your catalytic convertor and see if thats the culprit.

RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

That was my conclusion castle. I padded the living hell out of any metal surface the CAI might touch.

I have the car going to our family's long time mechanic to give it a once over. If it was the cat though, wouldn't a code be getting thrown?

crookncastle

a catalytic converter coming apart and rattling does not mean it will set off the check engine light.

RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

Odd. I figured the sensor would detect it or something since the Cat wouldn't be operating as efficiently?? It's at the mechanic now getting looked at. If it's the cat I'll have it replaced by Infiniti under warranty but I don't trust dealership mechanics when it comes to a diagnoses

saywat?

iTrader: (3)

well if u expect it to be changed under warranty u will have to have their mech confirm it. their not gonna take the word of an outside mech

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Definitely pop the stock airboxes back on if going to the dealer. There's one case of a 2012 having the rear timing gasket issue so don't rule that out.

I'd be shocked if the cat was destroyed and rattling around. Too few miles but not completely out of the realm of possibilities. Usually forced induction blows them out.

The dealer can pull the oil pan and pull a rod cap or two to check bearings. I'm sure they'll put a scope on the bottom of the engine block to see if that's where the noise is coming from.

RMB5190

iTrader: (2)

Picked it up and they confirmed it wasn't my block. Definitely the exhaust and the cat or heat shield making the banging. Sigh of relief there because I really wasn't trying to re-install my stock air box because the Stillen is a pain in the ***. No codes being thrown so not sure how extensive the damage is but hearing them tell me it wasn't my block and directing me to the location was a relief

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

That's great! Good excuse to get a set of high flow cats to replace the stock one.

Strokelessone

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2012 AWD S, was hoping you found out something more definitive, mine just recently started making the exact same noise, or I just started noticing it. I don't have any mods, and mileage is at 45,000 plus change.