Sounds like a diesel when the engine is cold
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,817
Likes: 5,125
From: Rochester, NY
Sounds like a diesel when the engine is cold
Maybe I'm paranoid. It wouldn't be the first time I starting looking for problems where none existed. But creating a thread for opinions is a harmless thing to do, so here it is.
When the engine is cold, regardless of ambient temperature, I swear the engine sounds rough and loud, like a diesel (thwack thwack thwack). Soon as it warms up, everything is fine. Of course, I realize the idle is high when starting a cold engine, but it's... different, somehow.
I've only had the car for 8 months. There are only 9,800 miles on it, and I'm running Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic. The car is mechanically bone-stock. While I've been vaguely aware of this since buying the car, I became attentive to this suspicion the other day when the wife got in the car and asked me why it sounded "like that".
Crank up the volume and maybe you'll hear it. I suppose it could be the acoustics of the garage. Or when I'm between the houses (shared driveway), the acoustics there come into play too. Or as I suggested up front, maybe I'm feeding a silly paranoia. IDK.
When the engine is cold, regardless of ambient temperature, I swear the engine sounds rough and loud, like a diesel (thwack thwack thwack). Soon as it warms up, everything is fine. Of course, I realize the idle is high when starting a cold engine, but it's... different, somehow.
I've only had the car for 8 months. There are only 9,800 miles on it, and I'm running Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic. The car is mechanically bone-stock. While I've been vaguely aware of this since buying the car, I became attentive to this suspicion the other day when the wife got in the car and asked me why it sounded "like that".
Crank up the volume and maybe you'll hear it. I suppose it could be the acoustics of the garage. Or when I'm between the houses (shared driveway), the acoustics there come into play too. Or as I suggested up front, maybe I'm feeding a silly paranoia. IDK.
Last edited by Rochester; Dec 5, 2012 at 08:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,817
Likes: 5,125
From: Rochester, NY
That's certainly an option, and thanks for the insightful post right out of the gate. Unfortunately, if I bought a comparable Lexus, then I'd have to learn how to drive a pretentious, over-priced car with an automatic transmission.
And you can't teach an old dog lame, boring tricks. Know what I mean?
So... that's just what it sounds like before it warms up?
And you can't teach an old dog lame, boring tricks. Know what I mean?
So... that's just what it sounds like before it warms up?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,817
Likes: 5,125
From: Rochester, NY
^^^
Good man. Thanks.
And I appreciate the advice. I always let the car sit for a bit after starting it cold, and keep the revs low until warmed up.
If anybody else wants to walk me down and tell me that's normal for Nissan's 3.7 VVEL, that's cool.
Good man. Thanks.
And I appreciate the advice. I always let the car sit for a bit after starting it cold, and keep the revs low until warmed up.
If anybody else wants to walk me down and tell me that's normal for Nissan's 3.7 VVEL, that's cool.
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 452
Likes: 30
From: Southlake, TX
Yup - it's normal. To me - it sounds like an aggressive exhaust for the first 30 sec or so...
I mentioned this shortly after getting the car..
https://www.myg37.com/forums/g37-sed...-start-up.html
I mentioned this shortly after getting the car..
https://www.myg37.com/forums/g37-sed...-start-up.html
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,817
Likes: 5,125
From: Rochester, NY
Yup - it's normal. To me - it sounds like an aggressive exhaust for the first 30 sec or so...
I mentioned this shortly after getting the car..
https://www.myg37.com/forums/g37-sed...-start-up.html
I mentioned this shortly after getting the car..
https://www.myg37.com/forums/g37-sed...-start-up.html
Thanks, guys!
Just for blanks and giggles, ever listen to an M-variant BMW engine on cold startup? Sounds like ball bearings in a coffee can! Tappets need to get charged with oil, high lift cams slapping around everywheres.... glorious music to my ears!
Maybe I'm paranoid. It wouldn't be the first time I starting looking for problems where none existed. But creating a thread for opinions is a harmless thing to do, so here it is.
When the engine is cold, regardless of ambient temperature, I swear the engine sounds rough and loud, like a diesel (thwack thwack thwack). Soon as it warms up, everything is fine. Of course, I realize the idle is high when starting a cold engine, but it's... different, somehow.
I've only had the car for 8 months. There are only 9,800 miles on it, and I'm running Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic. The car is mechanically bone-stock. While I've been vaguely aware of this since buying the car, I became attentive to this suspicion the other day when the wife got in the car and asked me why it sounded "like that".
Crank up the volume and maybe you'll hear it. I suppose it could be the acoustics of the garage. Or when I'm between the houses (shared driveway), the acoustics there come into play too. Or as I suggested up front, maybe I'm feeding a silly paranoia. IDK.
[youtube]ICiv9MZdrnY[/youtube]
When the engine is cold, regardless of ambient temperature, I swear the engine sounds rough and loud, like a diesel (thwack thwack thwack). Soon as it warms up, everything is fine. Of course, I realize the idle is high when starting a cold engine, but it's... different, somehow.
I've only had the car for 8 months. There are only 9,800 miles on it, and I'm running Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic. The car is mechanically bone-stock. While I've been vaguely aware of this since buying the car, I became attentive to this suspicion the other day when the wife got in the car and asked me why it sounded "like that".
Crank up the volume and maybe you'll hear it. I suppose it could be the acoustics of the garage. Or when I'm between the houses (shared driveway), the acoustics there come into play too. Or as I suggested up front, maybe I'm feeding a silly paranoia. IDK.
[youtube]ICiv9MZdrnY[/youtube]
It does go away if you put it in gear. Its a VVEL thing.
Still no engine issues, no oil consumption.
