07 Xterra transmission bad noise

[skiller1nc]

Has anyone heard a sound similar to this when they put their car in gear when it's cold (car is "cold" not necessarily cold outside)? When I go out in the morning and crank car everything sounds good but when I put it in drive or reverse for a minute or so it makes this popping crunchy noise (listen to attached video) it eventually goes away and if at any point I put it back in park it stops. Car seems to operate fine but the noise is concerning.

 

[rijndael]

Have you checked for a cracked heat sheild that's rattling?

 

[AZjeff]

Hopefully your radiator has been replaced at some point or the internal trans cooler bypassed. Search Xterra SMOD. Haven't seen reports of your problem in relation to SMOD just a heads up.

 

[JTK]

Probably have to put it up on a lift, run it in D or R and listen under there. Like said above, heat shields are common noise makers on Nissan products. I've either removed or re-attached every one of them on my 2015 Versa at this point. Could also be a catalytic converter rattling internally. Either of those may present when the drivetrain tweaks just right when in gear.

Good point on the SMOD as well. Hopefully it's not that as you say it drives and shifts fine w/ no MIL.

 

[skiller1nc]

Have you checked for a cracked heat sheild that's rattling?

I will look. Doesn't make sense really though that it would stop after 30 seconds or so. And not start doing it again unless the car is cold.

 

[skiller1nc]

Hopefully your radiator has been replaced at some point or the internal trans cooler bypassed. Search Xterra SMOD. Haven't seen reports of your problem in relation to SMOD just a heads up.

I'll check trans fluid. But yeah radiator has been replaced and I stay on top of maintenance.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Hard to tell from here, but it doesn't sound like a trans. A often cuprit is the fan shroud. It has a removable piece on the bottom that comes loose or doesn't get re-installed properly. Could also be a heat shield. Both will rattle when the engine mounts are worn and the engine twists under load.

Also sounds like it has a whine to it. Hopefully not secondary timing chain guides, another known problem.

Maybe audio from directly under the hood would be helpful.

 

[skiller1nc]

I crawled under tonight. There are 2 exhaust shields that could be the culprit. I'll have to attach them better when I have time. Trans fluid was full and didn't look like it had coolant in it or anything. Nothing else looked out of place

 

[skiller1nc]

Ok. Did some more looking. Its coming from the top ish of the engine bay, near the alternator, throttle body, and intake. Its not an exhaust shield or fan shroud.