MajorCommonEngine

Infiniti M: VQ35DE/VQ45DE Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle — Cold Start (Y50)

VQ35DE/VQ45DE Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle — Cold Start (Y50) is a common engine fault on the Infiniti M on the 2004–2009 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,400 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 14 documented faults on the Infiniti M.

Vehicle: Infiniti M
Engine: VQ35-DE / VQ45-DE
Years: 2004–2009
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Engine

This page covers the Infiniti M as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Infiniti M faults14 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

What goes wrong

The VQ35DE and VQ45DE engines fitted to the Fuga Y50 share the timing chain tensioner check-valve bleeddown weakness documented across the wider VQ platform. Cold-start rattle lasting up to 30 seconds indicates tensioner oil pressure is not being retained. On neglected examples, persistent tensioner wear allows chain slack at all times, risking jump and timing errors. The VQ45DE 4.5L V8 has the same design weakness with higher parts costs.

What you would notice

Chain rattle on cold start that reduces or clears within 30 seconds
Persistent rattle on all starts in advanced cases
Rough idle with timing-related fault codes
Oil pressure light flickering on first start of the day

How to check it

Where to look. Timing chain system, front of engine and inside the V on VQ45

Cold-start the engine and listen for chain rattle from the cam cover and front of engine area. Time how long rattle persists. Inspect engine oil for sludge — contaminated oil accelerates tensioner wear. Check oil change service record.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$1,400 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Does the engine rattle on a cold start, and for how long?”
“Has the timing chain or tensioners been replaced?”
“What is the full engine service history?”

Now check the Infiniti M you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Infiniti M buyer questions

Is vq35de/vq45de timing chain tensioner rattle — cold start (y50) serious on a Infiniti M?

We rate it major and common on the Infiniti M. The VQ35DE and VQ45DE engines fitted to the Fuga Y50 share the timing chain tensioner check-valve bleeddown weakness documented across the wider VQ platform. Cold-start rattle lasting up to 30 seconds indicates tensioner oil pressure is not being retained. On neglected examples, persistent tensioner wear allows chain slack at all times, risking jump and timing errors. The VQ45DE 4.5L V8 has the same design weakness with higher parts costs.

How much does it cost to fix on a Infiniti M?

$1,400 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Infiniti M years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2004–2009 Infiniti M. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.