Ask an expert

I've recently purchased a 2003 Nissan Maxima Si with a 3.5L engine. It's travelled quite a lot of kilometers for its age, but I've recently noticed that it makes the characteristic engine knocking noise every now and then.

It never occurs under heavy load however which I'm told is where car engines usually have issues like this. It usually stops if you step on the accelerator.

No one I've asked can really give me any advice. Is this causing damage; and how would one go about eliminating it?

Thanks for your help,

Brian

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

The Maxima engine is a gem and has a long history of reliability and performance. Its one of the reasons they are so popular as taxis (especially in Wellington I notice). The cabbies are always a great source of info about vehicle reliability and mechanical problems and every one I talk to has only good things to say about the Maxima overall.

Depending on the vehicles service history (and the actual km's travelled) you would have to be unlucky for the noise to be a major problem. I would however get it checked out by somebody who knows the product best, that is a Nissan dealer.

You may have to leave the car with them so they can listen for the noise and hopefully identify what it may be.

Cost wise this should not be too much, provided you clearly explain you only want them to report their findings to you and provide an estimate of repair costs.

Love to know what the noise is when you eventually find out.