# Strange car noise - any ideas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** qx4, infiniti\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664 "2021-11-15T17:54:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/1 "2021-11-15T17:54:24Z")
I have a 2001 Infinity QX4. While driving slowly a rattling noise started in the engine area. The noise continued when the car is parked and idling. (audio clip 1). I opened the hood to look but did not touch anything. I did not see any obvious problems. I then closed the hood somewhat forcefully. The noise stopped! I drove the car about 10 minutes with no noise. They next day the noise recurred, again when idling. This time the noise did not occur in “Park” and did not occur in “Drive” but started when I put the car in “Reverse”. The noise happens when car is in “Reverse” and not moving or “Reverse” and actually driving in reverse. (audio clip 2). The car seems to drive fine. The car was recently serviced, including tightening and repacking the front wheel bearings, reconnecting a failed exhaust system connection with a splice (the joint between the catalytic converter and the muffler), and replacing the crankshaft position sensor, 3 ignition coils and 3 spark plugs. Several mechanics inspected the car a few weeks ago before the noise started, and did not find any other problems. The exhaust heat shield was loose and removed a few weeks ago during the exhaust system repair. I think there is only one heat shield but I’m not sure. There are no obvious visible problems with the exhaust system - based on just looking under the car when it is parked. Any ideas? Thank you! [https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/9/d963a25e4d326a9ec1d6d7381ee7341d6314f854.mp3](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/9/d963a25e4d326a9ec1d6d7381ee7341d6314f854.mp3) [https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/e/5e47a4943a6f85e41788119b0a586c9dbf9cef38.mp3](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/e/5e47a4943a6f85e41788119b0a586c9dbf9cef38.mp3) ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/2 "2021-11-15T20:59:57Z")
Do you notice the sound only at certain RPMs, regardless of the forward/reverse/parked motion? My first thought was a loose heat shield, but it sounds like you’ve covered that. I wonder if it could be something broken or loose in the muffler. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/3 "2021-11-15T21:15:44Z")
> [@Barney-Rubble](#): > > and replacing the crankshaft, Replaced the crank shaft ? Are you sure that is correct ? ---
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/4 "2021-11-15T21:22:13Z")
Good catch. My error - it was the crankshaft position sensor. I corrected my post. Thanks. Any ideas about the noise? ---
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/5 "2021-11-15T21:23:02Z")
Thanks - so you think something in the exhaust system? ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/6 "2021-11-15T21:29:30Z")
if you can, put the car on jack stands and go under and shake the exhaust system to see if it is hitting anywhere. up and down and side to side. do it when the exhaust is cold. safety first. ---
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/7 "2021-11-15T21:57:00Z")
Thanks for the excellent suggestion - I’ll check that out! ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/8 "2021-11-15T23:51:37Z")
It’s likely the engine/transmission is shifting position slightly, which in turn is moving something else. While a loose heat shield or exhaust component is likely, you may–and bear in mind this is strictly a guess on my part–also need one or more engine/transmission mounts. ---
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/9 "2021-11-16T01:41:49Z")
Thanks for the useful info. I hope it’s only an exhaust system issue ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/10 "2021-11-16T01:48:32Z")
well looking at your name it could also be those stone wheels or wooden frame. LOL good luck ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/11 "2021-11-16T02:15:35Z")
> [@weekend-warrior](#): > > well looking at your name it could also be those stone wheels or wooden frame. Or the brake soles on one foot or the other. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Barney-Rubble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@Barney-Rubble](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barney-Rubble)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/12 "2021-11-18T15:56:00Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/e/decf4e7f2aa45e1aeded0f15318d33cfe830bd80.jpeg) It was a heat shield! Thanks to everyone for the useful advice ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-car-noise-any-ideas/180664/13 "2021-11-18T23:08:16Z")
Glad to hear it was something simple and cheap.