YACT - mechanics check in, ping-tinging from 2001 altima

[spidey07]

I'm no mechanic. Girl wants my help, just tossing out and wanting opinions. 40K miles. She wants an oil change to fix the problem, me being the man I'm like "WTF? NO! You're motor is fine."

1) Tinging sound from left front of engine compartment (opposite side of output of motor, where belt is)
2) Sounds like bing-a-bingding, more pronounced when you let off throttle, like something is bouncing around.
3) Sound coming from lower area of engine compartment
4) First thought was loose exhaust/cat, etc, but that's on the other side....it's on the belt side and it's low.

First guess is something is up with her belt/tensioners? Am I on the right track?

 

[Alone]

Just look inside. Anything that rattles and "tings" should be fairly obvious and easy to spot.

 

[spidey07]

Tell me about it. It's dark outside.

It's most definitely a "ting". Something is bouncing.

 

[kevman]

Does she use regular gas? try out super on the next fill.

If its not that, could be a loose heat sheild from the trans/cat/exhaust. Does it always happen?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: kevman
Does she use regular gas? try out super on the next fill.

If its not that, could be a loose heat sheild from the trans/cat/exhaust. Does it always happen?

Knock does not make a "bing-a-bingding" sound.

Most likely a heat shield rattling somewhere.

ZV

 

[Hyperlite]

Yeah its probably something outside the engine if it has a longer random pattern like that.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: kevman
Does she use regular gas? try out super on the next fill.

If its not that, could be a loose heat sheild from the trans/cat/exhaust. Does it always happen?

Knock does not make a "bing-a-bingding" sound.

Most likely a heat shield rattling somewhere.

ZV

But he said it's on the belt side, other side of the exhaust. The heat shield wouldn't be over there (afaik) and the noise is pretty...distinguishable.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: kevman
Does she use regular gas? try out super on the next fill.

If its not that, could be a loose heat sheild from the trans/cat/exhaust. Does it always happen?

Knock does not make a "bing-a-bingding" sound.

Most likely a heat shield rattling somewhere.

ZV

Yeah, it's not knock or valve noise as it's outside the motor. She went out and bought an "injector cleaner" and was going to take it to Jiffy Lube for an oil change.

"STOP RIGHT THERE MISSY! Just stop."

Still thinking something with her belt or a pully somewhere. You can really make it ring-a-ting-ting when you rev up and let off the throttle.