Nissan noisy engines ?

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

nicholas

Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Messages
2,318
Location
ottawa
Is it just me but does Nissan have louder engines than other Japanese counterparts, maybe being made by Renault has something to do with it?

We had a 06 altma 2.5 and just bought a Versa 1.8 and [censored] they are a little lound and roccus compared to Honda and Toyota engines we have had?

I was thinking of using a 5w-40 to quiet the little 1.8 down a bit ? parhaps these engines are the same used in Europe ? I know the 1.8 is a Renault made engine.
Any thoughts
 
I've found that Subaru engines are very noisy.....but I haven't had a Nissan in a while so I can't offer an opinion on that. I wouldn't think you would want a 5w-40 in the Versa though. It's designed to get pretty good mpg's using 5w-20, right? I'd say stay in line with what the warranty requires anyway....at least until it expires.
 
I don't know, I just had the [dis]pleasure of riding in a 2008 Camry 4-banger. One of the raspiest sounding (inside the car) and floorboard vibrating 4-cylinders I've seen in a newish car.

No MILs, 40,000 miles, and felt just like a new '98 Camry loaner I had once.
 
the NVH issues are very subjective.what one considers a noisy engine, another will not.bear that in mind when you read replies.this thread should be moved to auto. general topics.
 
Last edited:
I had a versa rental in Maryland, and it was a very comfortable car, but yes, it seemed overly noisey and a bit underpowered. If it used a 5w-20, try redline or a "cushy" 10w-30 syn like Amsoil ATM or Edge 10w30 or Motul xmax.
 
My brother test drove a 2.5L Nissan Altima and it sounded like a toy car. My brother said there is no way that's how the engine should sound, but the salesman said it was normal. To each their own, the noise was unbearable to us. I don't expect a hand-built engine that purs, but the Altima just sounded cheap and totally unrefined.

The only other car I've heard that was just as bad was a Dodge Caliper. Very noisy engine, cheap plastic interior, bug eye headlights and bland styling. How Dodge stays in business is beyond me.
 
I think it must vary car to car a bit. Although Honda has a reputation for refined 4 bangers, my Civic has more noticeable idle vibration and a higher pitched, less pleasing engine sound when revving than my wife's Mazda. I test drive a couple of current gen Sentras back in 2007 (the 2 liter engine, with CVT and 6 speed manual) and from inside the car the engine was pretty quiet, could barely hear it at idle.
 
My dad has 06 Altima with the 2.5, I drove it once and it really makes a lot of noise inside the cabin, especially under acceleration, my Mazda with the 2.0 engine sounds much more refined and is definitely less buzzy. My wife was with me in the Altima and she even commented on the engine noise, so it's not just me.

Nissan has the VQ engines pretty much nailed down, I think it's time for them to work on the 4 bangers.
 
The last couple of reviews of the VQ engines in Motor Trend they commented that it was loud and unrefined ? FWIW
 
Have had numerous Nissan's over the years and have found them to be no noisier than the other Japanese cars. I currently run a Versa as my everyday car, for about four years now. When the weather is cold, one of the lifters is a little noisy until warm, other than that the engine is very quiet. Check this story out and see that the Nissan is the quietest of the testers in the group:http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1006_ford_fiesta_honda_fit_toyota_yaris_nissan_versa_comparison/index.html. I believe the talk about noisy engines is usually a matter of perception on the part of the person driving. Each person generally used to a certain sound......
 
Pretty much all VQ (3.5L/3.7L) engine are unrefined!

They have more vibration than competitors! The vibration are more noticable at the upper rev range...
Also, the engine sounds thrashy, unrefined, harsh, and lack of a nice tone throughout the rev range...
 
I just droped a 2010 Camry "loaner" with 6K miles on it off at our local toyota dealer(The Yaris was in for a new LF wheel bearing assy under warranty). It looks like has the 2AZ? 4 banger and it was TOO quiet. Very refined and smooth, and hurried all the way to redline with no thrash or slap. I tried to pull the dipstick and it was seized in the dip tube!! I asked the Service Manager what oil was in it and he said factory 0w20. If THIS one engine sample is any indicator - that 0w20 is some schweeet oil and toyoda have the motor set up nice for it.
 
Last edited:
My 300Zx`s engine (VG30DE) is absolutely silent,even up to redline. I`ve even turned the ignition thinking it wasn`t running,only to grind the started because it WAS in fact running :^P
 
Where is The Critic, he should chime in on this. I did notice that the Altima I-4 I test drove was rather noisy and unrefined, the Subaru Impreza was by far the worst as far as that goes.
 
You don't know a noisy engine until you've driven a Subaru. When I first got my WRX I took it to the dealer several times because it sounded like sticky lifters (in a car with 28 miles on it...).

It seriously sounds like a loud sewing machine at idle. At WOT it's a whole different story =).

My boss drives a Sentra SE with the RB20DE engine in it and it's fairly quiet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
2017 Nissan Rogue 2.5 - 5W-30?
2
Replies
23
Views
802
SR5
Z
Ever had a engine or Transmission failure?
5 6 7
Replies
125
Views
8K
Tdbo
N
2010 Nissan Cube CVT maintenance
Replies
19
Views
458
JavierH19
pezzy84
Rental car review - 2025 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - middling fuel economy
Replies
19
Views
14K
RhondaHonda
L
Oil Viscosity Trends and Hybrid Reliability: Is Spec Sheet Performance Misleading Real-World Use?
Replies
15
Views
1K
mikeduf
Back
Top Bottom