That rattling at idle.
 

Hello everyone. Bought this car not too long ago. Almost due for the first oil change. I daily the car and do enjoy spirited driving. I know when I bought the car ( 70k miles ) I did have the "typical" idle noises. At first I would get the noise clutch pressed in and it would go away. ( or vice versa whichever is the "typical" issue that I've been reading about ).

Now here lies my concern. I've searched and read a few threads about the issue and nothing seems to show a bad rattling noise at idle with the clutch IN or OUT. It doesn't matter. In N , in Gear clutch in or out it will rattle. There is no change in tone clutched in or out . It is the same either way. Of course, sound goes away while a gear is engages. I only hear it at idle. SURELY this can not just be normal. Honestly, it sounds like crap. I just noticed whether I clutch in or out it sounds BAD.

Is there a FIX to this issue?

Sorry to hear you are having issues. I'm no expert but folks on here surely are. Hopefully someone will have some advice for you soon.

Can you post a sound clip? Do you have any mods?

The vehicle is completely stock. I'll get a sound clip on it tomorrow. I'm hoping there is a fix to this. My clutch will slip only when shifting hard at full throttle and high rev. I do not want to buy anything aftermarket or "lightweight" if it means it'll multiply that damn noise. I'm all ready embarrassed enough. It completely sound like crap and of course when I shut it off it sounds worse. Thanks for your reply.

Yeap, it is normal. That is the tranny chattering due to how it the input shaft was designed the best I can figure. The dual mass flywheel covers it up for the most part. A lightweight flywheel makes it even worse. Sometimes you will get it, and sometimes you don't. Change the tranny fluid with a good quality GL4 75w90 Synthetic fluid and it will help some.

I'll post a sound video up later. Why do some people experience it with the clutch out and not in and I experience it either in or out then?

Also could there be another problem coming up that we don't just say is normal?

Change the fluid and see what happens. Most of it will go away.

Here's the sound clip. Of course with the mic very close it sounds like the engine is going to fall out but I'm sure you guys know the difference.
https://youtu.be/LWvGVlyBq58

Sorry, I don't know how to make the video appear in the forum.
What's the best oil to swap in for noise reduction?

When you have the car out of gear in neutral and the clutch not pressed in the rattling noise is the clutch. Sound is usually louder with aftermarket clutches too.

When you press in the clutch the sound is supposed to go away due to the clutch, flywheel and transmission gears are all open and spinning at different speeds.

If you press in the clutch and the sound goes away the clutch and pressure plate may need to be changed. If it is still on OEM and you haven't changed it and do not know the previous history of the clutch with the vehicle, I would think a new clutch and pressure plate would fix it.

I would say see if changing the transmission and clutch fluid works, but if it doesn't and you need to look at getting the clutch and pressure plate, (usually is a good idea to get the flywheel as well), you will have to pay for both fluids a second time and for the labor again as well. As for the type of clutch and transmission fluid, Motul is always a good brand to go with

I bought my Z a bit like yours. I bought mine with 88,400 on the odm and "had to" (clutch was weak and wanted to lol) replace the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel about 10k miles later. Went with ACT for those three and in the same process I went ahead and did the Z1 motorsports CSC elim kit and that itself makes the transmission and clutch feel sturdier and more reliable.
I've had my new clutch setup for about 2 and a half months or so and still love it.

Just copy and paste the link into your post. Don't need to embed the video in the post. Just a link to where people and click and view

:tiphat:

im not a mechanic but sounds like throwout bearing to me,,wild guess..

Okay. I understand the noise at idle and why. Somewhat. What you mentioned above that when you press in the clutch the sound is supposed to go away.

Why does the sound go away pressed in and not out?
Mine makes the noise regardless. What is going bad?

You said if you press the clutch in and the sound goes away then something is bad. So you're saying the fact that when I press the clutch in and the noise doesn't change that my components are okay?

Sorry if I've read this backwards or misinterpreted. Please clarify. My clutch is week under heavy shifting at high rpms. I'll replace what's needed and change the fluid. I'd still like to understand this. Atleast so I can explain it to my buddies who ask what the hell is wrong with your car lol.

That's normal with the oem clutch and flywheel.

You can replace the clutch and flywheel to solve that, but you will end up with a LOT more noise. If you think it sounds broken now, throw on a lightweight flywheel. The car will sound like a diesel F250.

:iagree:

OP, if you want to change out parts to try and tame the chatter, talk to Joe @ ZSpeed and tell him your goals. He will get you the best clutch and flywheel setup for you at a great price.

so everyone agrees that noise is the clutch and/or flywheel? That sounds awfully loud to be one of those...

Why wouldn't it be the input shaft bearing?

OP: Do you notice that it doesn't happen when the car is cold, but rather, after you've driven it for some time?

Yes, it makes more noise when the fluid is good and hot. The lube is thinner and stuff rattles more.

I agree it sounds pretty loud, but I've heard a pretty wide range of chatter on different Z to not think that's anything too serious. However, even on the same Z that noise tends to get louder and quieter as the metal parts expand and contract and the lube viscosity changes with the temperature. So if it's that loud all the time, then that might be more concerning. It very well could be the bearing going out.

This is not a new thing. The 350z and 370z both have the "marbles in a can" or "cement mixer" sound from the clutch/flywheel setup. My twin disk doesn't sound that bad, but Donny's (UPREV's Mechanic) super single w/ lightweight flywheel sounds like the "cement mixer" especially after everything is up to operating temp.........

Mine is the most noticeable when it's VERY hot after city driving and temps are high and I'm in 1st gear clutching out and slowly giving gas, keeping the rpm low. With the car cold, never a noise

That rattling at idle.
 

Because the lube is thicker when cold. Completely normal.

Ditto!!! Same exact occurrence here. Out of the driveway fully warmed up, never a tranny noise. However, in the summer when I've been working the clutch a lot and the car's been driven for 30+ minutes, accelerating out of 1st while slowly letting out the clutch will make a slight rattle noise. It's not annoying by any means, but it's something I've taken note of. I've always wondered if this was normal or not...

At idle, when the car is hot, I've also noticed this issue, but not when it's cold. OP, does this happen when your car is cold too?

I've got a very similar noise. I still have 60 days on warranty so I'll take it in just in case the Nissan Tech's think something needs to be repaired. Better safe than sorry. Anyways, here's a video I took an hour ago to document the noise and condition. Also if you notice my engine sounding odd (I think it sounds great aside from injector noise) then please let me know.

https://youtu.be/HPnTNRGNROA

I dunno, sounds like my Ram diesel PU

If these were different cars I would say that the noise sounds like exhaust pipe heat shields that are rattling. I've fixed many of these shields over the years and they sound like what I heard in both videos. Just a thought and it's pretty easy to check if car is up on a ramp or hoist.

Literally my car sounds like ****. Excuse the language. Totally embarrassed sometimes. Especially pulling up to a meet and shutting it down. I'm going to change the fluid and replace the cats with tps. Check all shields and hope it helps. This noise is ridiculous. Especially with no known true fix. Just live with it...

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*update*
 

I brought my car to Fred Anderson Nissan of Raleigh 34 days into ownership expecting some form of service under the 90 day warranty I was promised at the dealership I bought it from; only to find out that the warranty expired after 30 days. From now on, my 370 will stay far away from the dealership unless recalls pop up in the future. Not to mention, the tech stalled twice while pulling my car into the garage leaving me and the service rep laughing hysterically. :rofl2::rofl2:

Anyhow, one tech I spoke to mentioned that it sounds like a heat shield rattle. The notes on the diagnostic sheet state "Noise may be coming from the flywheel or loose bolts, recommend breaking down the trans to find noise." I'll soon jack up the car to tighten all heat shield bolts just in case that's the issue, but I'll wait on opening the trans until I need either a clutch or a new CSC assuming the noise doesn't get noticeably worse.

The other two issues I brought it in for were warped front rotors and the infamous ECM capacitor whine. I refused to pay dealership prices on having rotors machined and everyone claimed they couldn't hear the whine at all (as expected) so I'll ignore the whine and replace or have the rotors machined once I replace the front brake pads.

Same Sound in AT 370Z
 

I'm late to this thread, just found it trying to diagnose a similar rattling sound on my 09. One big thing though, my sound is almost identical to the two videos posted and mine is an automatic transmission not a manual transmission. This leads me to believe it has nothing to do with the any part of the clutch or transmission. My first thought is that it was something loose under the car so I jacked it up and ran the engine. I inspected and jostled everything I could put my hands on and found nothing loose or vibrating and nothing I could ID as causing the sound. I concluded it must be something internal to the exhaust, what ever that could remotely possibly be.

Curious to hear from others that suffer(ed) this agonizing rattling what is is/was. Next step is to take it over to Nissan and let them figure it out.

Wow that’s really bad sounding (not sure if it’s normal or not as I’m 7at). That hard to imagine the car all factory would have such a loud clutch/flywheel, I would expect Nissan would be seeing tons of complaints. Lol didn’t know Nissan sold a 370z diesel model.

I have a manual and it does make that noise, but mine isnt as loud as the videos. I even have a poly transmission mount which highlights the clutch chatter and its still not that loud.

My ACT stage 2 clutch is just as loud. When I'm at an uphill the sound is softer due to gravity acting on the flywheel. This is only my thought, i could be wrong. However, when i replaced the OEM clutch it was cooler and the sound wasn't horrible, but 13k miles later and in the summer this clutch sounds like a diesel. I do believe it's something that I'll have to live with. The clutch grabs amazingly. It's fast and i can feel the performance difference. It's a shame, this sound is a turn off. I notice that rattle goes down as the RPM go up. So the clutch is better the faster they spin.

I know the post is old, but for those who are still looking at old discussion like me. Here is my two cents