Sounds like it could be the hydraulic tappets, try an engine oil first if its not had one recently this may well cure it, though ultimately it does mean your tappets are getting a bit tired even if an oil change quietens em down.
PS Welcome to the club and welcome the LPG Mav club 2, that makes 2 of us on here. You didn't just buy it on ebay did you, if so that was a real bargain.
I changed the oil, filter nd all when i first got it and tightened belts etc - will check out the tappits next week when I have a bit more time - cheers for the advice. Thanks for the welcome '$' aint what they used to be.
Mines the same, Lasts for about 3 / 4 seconds on start up,
I really do think its taking a few seconds for the oil to be thrown over the top of the engine after being sucked up from the sump, I know that Greg (another member) has the same problem, and know i should not tempt fate But, i have mine 5 years and its always done it,
So lets see if there are any more petrol, 2.4s that do it too.
I've just purchased a 1999 2.7TDi SE touring with 80k on the clock - It too has a rattle coming from the top end of the engine when cold, but seems to quieten down after a mile or two. :|
Sound like it may be a loose tappet or a bit of piston slap.
The rattle on start up is your timing chain i'm afraid, mine does it!!!!! They have crappy plastic tensioners that shatter, apparently every 2.4 will do it at some point in its life, usually around 100,000 miles.
Every 2.4 I have come across has done it, and mine is still awaiting the job being done. Not nice i'm afraid
mine still did it even after having a new timing chain fitted.had timing chain done at 110,000 miles by previous owner and it was at 139,000 when i got rid of it and went back to the oil burner.
never paid it no mind as it ran fine after the noisy 5 seconds on start up.
If you can live with it, great, but every time it rattles on startup the chain is hitting the ali case and when it wears through it delivers all your coolant into the sump, food for thought, Rick
Not a hard job but a lot to strip off to get to the bloody thing! Crappy plastic tensioner that is the problem
Thinking of binning my Mav now for a yank tank. For what i'm about to spend on the engine I can pay the same and p/x it against 4000cc's and a 3500kg towing rating. Sad but i've had enough of fixing this engine...
They say Nissan's are reliable, so I went for the 2.4 and converted it to gas yet its proved to be massivly unreliable. Wish i'd just started with a V8, at least they are easy to fix!