My daughter's 2001 Altima has had 4 or 5 noisy startups that sound like the valves are not openning. There is lots of banging and clanking. This has occurred over the last two years and has happened both when the car is warm and when it is cold. The noise is so loud, she has to turn off the car for fear of destroying the engine. She then waits 30 minutes or so and tries again. It then starts and runs fine. The car has 40,000 miles on it, has plenty of good oil and and is maintained by the dealer. Of course the dealer cannot replicate the problem.

I wonder if the problem is with the variable valve timing on this engine.

Has anyone had a problem like this? Any thoughts on what this might be would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Artsand

Just wanted to reply because I have a 2002 and the check engine light went on especially when the weather was warm. I took the car in 4 times and the dealer could get it duplicate and eventually told me they would contact Nissan North America for an engineer and never did see that materialize, so since my car was under the 36,000 mile warranty, I have contacted a Lemon Law Attorney. An expert Advice Witness has told me that the anti-freeze is going into the engine, causing the misfiring into the 3 & 4 valves and the Altima shouldn't have to have any anti-freeze added until at 60,000-100,000 miles. I don't know if you have taken the car in to the dealer, but it might be something that you should check, the coolant and if you have an extended warranty, and have had it service 4 times, then go under the lemon law.