You can upload a video of the noise to YouTube and post the link to it here.

I recommend scanning for OBD2 trouble codes and posting them here as well.

The Android app CVTz50 can read engine, and more importantly CVT TCM error codes. Most inexpensive codes reader can't...

CVTz50 - Apps on Google Play

CVT diagnostics with ELM327 for Nissan-based vehicles

play.google.com

 

Ok. I have an iPhone.

 

Definitely upload a video of the audible noise. You say that you hear the noise while "accelerating and slowing down" but what about while cruising at a constant speed (e.g. on the highway)? When you say "slowing down" do you mean while decelerating (i.e. coasting to a stop) or during braking? Is the noise coming from by your feet or does it seem further forward in the engine compartment? And, you only hear the noise while the car is moving, correct?

BTW, did the Nissan dealership actually diagnose a transmission problem? What did they say in the work order--for example, what were the tech's comments, any trouble codes noted, etc?

 

I’m working on uploading the recording. I’ll do a video when I drive home later. It’s happening when my foot is both on and off gas petal, but not when at a complete stop. The other day I brought the car by for a test drive and they put it on the lift. That’s how they determined it’s transmission. I’m not convinced.

 

If they put it on a lift then they probably put the transmission in drive and let the wheels turn (simulating driving the car) while listening around underneath and heard the noise coming from the transmission.

Your best bet would be to go to a reputable independent shop for a 2nd opinion. Tell them about the noise and other relevant information that you've posted here, but do not tell them that a Nissan dealership diagnosed a transmission problem. Let the shop go through their own diagnostic process and see if they arrive at the same conclusion. If they do, then unfortunately it likely is a transmission problem...

 

Yes, that’s exactly what they did. I saw the wheels spinning.

 

Given the description, they may be right, but I think the CVT joints on the front axles are also a possibility. If one of the rubber boots over the joints has broken, it becomes an action item whether or not it's the cause of the noise. The other possibility that occurs to me is a front hub that's making noise.

I second the notion of getting another opinion.

 

Well, since changing part of my CVT fluid five days ago, I developed a whine from the driver's front end that goes up/down in pitch as a accelerate/decelerate. At first, I described it as sounding like the spinning wheel motor of a kid's radio-controlled car. Then, it occured to me that it sounded more like a small drone hovering in place. So, if you're saying it sounds like a propellor, perhaps it's the noise/whine that I heard. My noise has since gone away by doing some shifting/downshifting/engine-braking through all of the gears.

A recording of your noise should help everyone here figure out what's the likely cause.

 

recording from tonight driving 25 mph.

I have a 2007 S with only 54,000 miles on it (I was a transit commuter up until May 2020). In May I started a new job 25 miles from home that I drive to and from - the most I ever drove this vehicle weekly. In August I started noticing a propeller like noise coming from front end when accelerating and slowing down. It has gradually become more noticeable. Tires were rotated November 2020. No issues accelerating or switching gears. Steering wheel normal. Automatic transmission. Nissan is now telling me it’s my transmission. I’m not convinced. This was the 2nd time I went to them for this issue. I recorded the noise but am unable to attach since it’s a recording, not a video. Cannot hear when idling. Help! Sound similar to a fan or helicopter.

I have a 2007 S with only 54,000 miles on it (I was a transit commuter up until May 2020). In May I started a new job 25 miles from home that I drive to and from - the most I ever drove this vehicle weekly. In August I started noticing a propeller like noise coming from front end when accelerating and slowing down. It has gradually become more noticeable. Tires were rotated November 2020. No issues accelerating or switching gears. Steering wheel normal. Automatic transmission. Nissan is now telling me it’s my transmission. I’m not convinced. This was the 2nd time I went to them for this issue. I recorded the noise but am unable to attach since it’s a recording, not a video. Cannot hear when idling. Help! Sound similar to a fan or helicopter.

 

If you hit the brake pedal hard/fast to come to a quick stop, does the noise also suddenly deaden quickly, or does it take a second to wind down? Does the noise happen if you drive in reverse? It almost doesn't sound like metal on metal. Almost sounds like a plastic fan blade scraping against something plastic, like the housing or fan strut. It sounded like you let off on the gas at one point and the noise oscillated consistently. It didn't seem to speed up or slow down. The pitch changed a little, but it didn't seem to be tied into wheel/axle speed or the engine revolutions.

The first time you brought it in and it was diagnosed, did they say it was the CVT? Did they get rid of (or reduce) the noise the first time they looked at it? How long ago was that? Thing is, if it was on the lift and running, there's no reason to think the mechanics would lie and say it's the CVT when it's not. I've gone through seven CVTs, and none of them sounded like what you have, but there are lots of ways something can fail, so it very well may be the CVT. Many garages will give you a freebie to put your car on the lift for a listen, provided they don't have to use any testing equipment that would take more time to setup and use. I'd take it somewhere else and ask if they offer a free diagnosis.

EDIT: Actually, at the very end of your clip, it sounds like the noise is winding down and then sounds more hollow-metal-like. Maybe a problem with the torque converter. Or could it be the starter is partially engaged and spinning around on the flywheel? It sounds so close/loud inside the cabin. though Maybe it's from one of the propellor shafts or carrier bearings? They're located right beneath where you sit. But that depends on if your MO is AWD or FWD. If FWD, forget it being a propeller shaft.

 

Sounds spooky...

Yeah, my guess would be the CVT too...for lack of anything else I can think of that would sound like that...

 

😭😭😭

 

Is your MO FWD or AWD? If AWD, I'd check to see if anything (such as an exhaust shield/plate/bracket) is loose and resting against the forward propeller shaft or the U-joint. The noise is so loud inside the car that it seems that whatever is making the noise is either very close or insanely loud (or very transmissive.) And if AWD, it's also plausible that a carrier bearing bracket has loosened at one side/end, causing the bracket to wobble and tap against the undercarriage. As the shaft spins with a bad bracket, the speed it's turning at could easily cause a loose bracket to sound like a propeller. And that would explain why the speed of the sound doesn't change that much, except when the car has slowed so much that the bracket is no longer bouncing/tapping like crazy. At least, in theory...

If not AWD, I'd check to be sure the transmission inspection plate is not bent or improperly fastened. Perhaps it's partially resting inside its seating opening and tapping against the flywheel. Refer to pic...

I'd take my phone/Handycam and secure it at various places inside the engine compartment and/or under the car, hit record, then drive 50 feet with each placement, then review the video footage and see where things seem the loudest. Or simply trust the mechanic. I'd elminate a few easy things before trusting anyone... Maybe they're saying it's the CVT when it's really a dented inspection cover. They'll charge you $5000 for a new CVT, spend five minutes to correct the bent plate, keep your car parked behind the building for a few days, then they'll call and tell you it's all fixed... Just kidding...maybe.

 

I ended up leasing a new car today, Rogue Sport. They’re sending my Murano to auction 😭😭😭

 

That stinks. I really wanted to know what was creating that sound. Maybe I'll loosen a carrier bearing bracket to see what happens.

 

Interesting set of facts, I have a 09 murano and I experienced something similar, in my case it was a fan blade momentarily hitting the fan housing more so on acceleration and disappeared when at idle....I was baffled because I could only get the sound while sitting behind the wheel and actually driving.....as stated earlier the sound was not constant and I could not duplicate the sound while outside 5he vehicle.....in my specific situation the problem sound was caused when the RPM's required the motor mounts to grip and hold the engine back.....all of the motor mounts physically looked in good shape so I replaced the Top mount first. The sound was lessened but not until I replaced a three motor mounts did the sound gi away completely.
Hope this story helps.

 

Please forgive the typos,mythumbsare toobigforthe handsetkeyboard.

 

That's why they call it "fat fingering," right?

I figure if my thumbs are all that's fat, I'm doing OK....