Posted: Jul 23 2013 at 2:52pm | IP Logged

I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. About a month ago, I started hearing this whining noise when starting it then it would go away. Within about a week, it was consistent. I had a non-professional friend tell me he thought it might be the power steering pump. The more I read on it, it seems it may be the timing chain tensioners. The problem with that is when I listened to videos people posted online about that issue, it didn't quite sound the same and it doesn't change with acceleration like it did in the videos. I don't know that I want to trust someone that's not a licensed mechanic but I really don't have the funds to get it looked at right now since I got laid off 5 months ago and just returned to working. I am supposed to be taking a 3 hour trip next week and I'm terrified that something might happen. I haven't had any problems with it other than the noise but I know long distance driving can put stress on anything that may already be wrong. I would love to upload a video of the noise but I'm not sure if there's a choice for that on this website. If anyone has had this problem and knows if it can get worse, please let me know. I need to do something about it soon but until I have the funds, I'm just praying it isn't anything serious.

Posted: Jul 24 2013 at 6:21am | IP Logged

The tensioners can fail easily.  Mine were replaced under warranty at about 34,000 miles.  The whine was noticeable and while there was some correlation to RPM, it was like a steady whine.  If you drive on them when they are worn, your timing chain is eating into the metal supports and you will have more damage as well as metal particles in the engine. 

Without hearing it, it is hard to diagnose.