Nissan Rogue Forum

COLD ENGINE = 5-10MINS OF LOUD SLAPPING/TAPPING.
YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT MY FRIEND. That metallic noise that occurs when the engine is cold and just started is like banging a spoon on a coconut for 10mins = this is called 'piston slap'. Some mechanics see this as sign of a worn engine, but in our case of the Rogue it's due to the engine design and not wear/tear.

Our engine(QR25DE) is a very long stroke, 4 cyl engine. That combined with the short piston connecting rod design produces the piston slap you are hearing. The piston rings sit higher on the piston to further seal off any carbons inside the combustion chamber to further reduce lost power.
After the engine warms up, the piston expands inside its cylinder and creates a tighter "seal" so to say and no longer clicks its skirt against the cylinder wall.
I do know that changing the weight of the engine oil could reduce, or increase this noise- or at least reduce or increase the length of time the noise is present. i will be making a new post about experimenting with engine oil shortly.
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REGARDING THE "SPROCKET NOISE"
NISSAN USES TIMING CHAINS = NOT RUBBER BELTS!! Our timing chain tensioners use oil pressure to adjust the timing chain tension. so upon start-up, our engines do not have enough oil pressure to properly have the proper tension, it builds up 1-2seconds after startup- and then maintains.
sometimes this happens when you are low on oil, when the oil is cold from sitting over-night and is very thick= thus increasing the flow time to the tensioners.

THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL FOR NISSAN ENGINES!! - if you dont like timing chains, feel free to go buy a volkswagon or similar car that uses flimsy rubber timing belts and costs over $1,000 every 50,000miles to replace.
that random rattle is the pay-off for the expensive out-dated timing belts. more and more engines use timing chains now a days.
if it gets to the point were it becomes a problem, the timing chain tesioners or guides need to be replaced.
they too are a wear item- but i dont see this going before 150,000miles IF PROPER OIL CHANGES WERE SCHEDULED.
check your oil level to make sure its not low(thus the reason for chatter to begin with) and make sure its not getting to crazy. otherwise chain chatter upon start-up is normal.

wrong engine, i know- but still a nissan nonetheless.
please see the TENSION ARM and see how it places tension on the chain WHICH IS TURNING THE IDLER SPROCKET(upper one).