Easy Tiger

Well wouldn't you know it, the noise has just disappeared tonight as soon as the wet/humid weather went away. The first full day of sunshine we have had in a couple of weeks and like magic, the engine is humming like a dream. How convenient considering the car is booked to get checked out tomorrow morning!!!!!!! So I don't know how they would be able to find the problem now This leads me to my next obvious question, why would it only make the belt/bearing noise in wet/humid weather, and not a sound in dry sunny weather??

Thanks Stephen. Don't know if I am game to pull that much apart, don't know enough about the engine set up to be honest and would hate to break something. I'm putting it in to the garage tomorrow to get checked over, so hopefully they will be able to come up with the solution. Thanks for your detailed help though, really appreciated Nissan sure know how to charge for parts.. well I am hoping it is not the alternator!

On edit - was able to find the VIN online through QLD Transport. It it a match for the recall list from the link you provided. So it's pretty safe to say that that is probably what is causing the engine light to come on. Thanks for your help Ant!

Hi Ant, That is brilliant information and exactly what I was looking for -thanks so much for your help!! At least I know it is not just me now. I am pretty sure my V35 falls under that range of codes, but I will have to check when I get home tonight. It makes sense that that is the problem, and now I have the information to take to the garage tomorrow so they can give it a look over. I am certain there is no silver sticker. My fuel consumption is normally 12L/100km (or by the nav computer 8.3km/L) so I am normally getting around 500km out of a tank. However, in the last two or three tanks, I have only got around 430km, which is about 14L/100km (or 7.1km/L). So it seems to have dropped quite sharply. I have to say I never noticed the smoke when I first got the car, only recently, but maybe I wasn't paying attention either until I noticed it one day by chance. I have found the same thing as you - normally smokes at around 5000 to 5500 revs and over. I suspect the O2 sensor as you have mentioned. Thanks again for the information. I'll let you know what they find

I've been trying to track down the exact location of the noise and from looking at engine schematics, I've narrowed it down to that area (at least I think, I'm no car mechanic ). It doesn't sound like just a belt type noise to me, it sounds like a shot bearing, it's a similar noise to what I used to encounter when working as a technician on tenpin bowling pinsetting machines and 9/10 times the bearing/bushing was shot. The drive belts went on my Fiance's car a little while ago and it was a very different sound to what mine is making. The battery is holding charge fine, so I think the alternator is still working, but I think the bearing is on the way out. Of course I could be totally wrong too.

Wow $1,000 ex Japan is expensive. I'm hoping being a VQ the part will be cheaper here. I'll definately keep the recon idea in mind. Thanks for the tips guys.

Thanks I know they are the same engines, etc but does anyone know a rough price? Also, does the 350z alternator also work on the VQ25 engine?

I have been doing some research and am thinking it is possible the alternator bearings have had it in my V35. That being the case, from what I understand you have to replace the whole alternator as you can't just replace the bearings. Does anyone know what a new alternator costs for one of these cars? Mine is a 250GT sedan if that makes a difference. Thanks

Thanks Andy this information is very useful. When I find the resolution I'll share it here. If anyone else has any ideas please feel free to share

Mine works too. I'm in Brisbane.

Thanks Mark. I believe the spark plugs were replaced at 77,000km so they should still be well and truely ok. Anyone else got any ideas?

Hi everyone, I've had my 2001 V35 250GT sedan for about 5 months now and it's been driving great, just have a couple of small annoying problems rear their head and am hoping someone on here may be able to help with what it could be. The car has got 83,500km on the clock. The engine warning/CEL light is on. It's come on twice since I have had it, last time I just had it reset as nothing showed up on the scan. I've spoken to the previous owner and they said it happened twice to them as well. They had it reset once, and the other time it stayed on for 2 days then just disappeared.. I am guessing it could just be a faulty cam sensor, but any ideas anyone? Both times it has come on for me, it has been while driving up a hill, not super steep, but moderate range. I drive the range 2-3 times a week and normally it is fine, just twice it has come on while going up the hill. About 4 weeks ago I noticed it blowing black smoke at high revs only, and only while under load when driving (ie does not appear when in neutral and revving the engine). I know that black smoke usually indicates fuel burning rich, does anyone have any ideas why this would be or what could be causing it? I originally thought it might be the valve-guides, and while I haven't had them checked, I'd assume it would be burning oil if that was the case and the oil level is still at max and has not dropped at all. I've also checked the coolant levels - no change. This leads on from point 2 - the fuel economy has dropped in the last couple of tanks by around 80-100 km per tank. There is a screeching belt/pulley type noise coming from somewhere under the hood. It only seems to appear when idling or decelerating, disappears when accelerating. Not linked to the air-con as it remains with the air con on and off. It has been intermitent since I have had the car, but seems to be getting worse. It appears to be particularly bad in wet weather for whatever reason, such as the last couple of days when we have had a lot of rain and the atmosphere is very humid. If anyone can give some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Mine has been mistaken as many things, often an Audi. Usually it's "What is that?!?"

Mine is the sedan not the coupe, but I have had problems with the Engine Malfunction Indicator Light on the dash. There is nothing wrong with the engine but it seems the cam sensor keeps tripping the warning light every so often. I'm getting it looked into again as to the best fix ie change the faulty cam sensor. It has no effect on the car and it's running absolutely sublimely, but it is a pain!

Close!! I sure won't be going back unless I absolutely have to in future and it won't be to that Nissan that's for sure..

I took mine to Nissan on one occasion and it was not a good experience! Not only did they give the wrong answer to the problem but they also snapped my cam cover in half! They had no clue whatsoever.

Last service was about 1,000km ago. Not sure what oil was used. To the best of my knowledge, the spark plugs were replaced not long ago as well. I don't have much more info, I only just bought the car 3 or 4 weeks ago.. When it happened, I was driving up a mild hill range, but not extreme landscape, I undertake the drive 3 or 4 times every week, and was doing nothing out of the ordinary, just driving.

Hi everyone, I am new here are recently bought a 2001 V35 Skyline 250GT. Haven't had any problems until now. Today, the "Engine Malfunction Indicator" light came on the dash and an attention screen popped up on the TV screen. Does anyone know what the cause might be or what I should do? The car was running fine and smooth. Very occasionally I have experienced a rough idle, but it is very intermitent and not a regular issue and this is the first time the warning light has appeared. Can anyone help me, or has this happened to you? Thanks Tim