tmarchionne@linxas.com wrote:
> I have had a problem with my 03 Maxima for about 18 months now. It
> started when I noticed a knocking noise about 2,000 miles after an oil
> change when the engine was accelerating and at 1500-2000 RPM. At
> other speeds or when I was coasting or deceleratin, there was no
> noise. I figured out that I was low on oil; when I added oil (1-2
> quarts, depending on how soon after the noise started that I added
> it), the noise went away. There are no visible leaks, no puddles
> under the car, and no blue smoke in the exhaust.
>
> About a year ago, the dealer determined that the loss was caused by my
> short block (I'm no mechanic, so I'm going off memory), which they
> replaced under warranty. Since then, the problem has continued. This
> week, the dealer again looked the car over, did a compression test and
> couldn't find a noticeable leak. The one service manager said it was
> normal for a car to lose 1-2 quarts of oil between changes (his Altima
> does the same thing).
>
> Again, I'm no mechanic, but I've never had a car that didn't have some
> problem lose oil between changes. If it did, it certainly didn't
> knock like my Max. Has anyone ever heard of this problem before,
> especially in an '03 Max? Is this normal? Thanks.
>

This is a common problem with the 3.5L. Search the forums at
www.maxima.org. You'll find lots of others with the same problem.