Nissan Repair: Nissan Altima 2006 - Valve Rattle?, piston slap, cam sprockets

Question
We have a noise that sounds live a valve rattle when the car is under load, going up hill, or holding the brake down while in drive and lightly accelerating.  The dealer is telling us that there is nothing wrong with the car, we have used premium gas but the sound remains and actually seems to get worse?  I have read about multiple having a similar problem.  Causes anywhere from heat shields, to sensors, to cam sprockets, but the dealer says no dice, any thoughts?

Answer
James,

If the noise you hear is a ping then they can put a Consult II or Consult III on the car and retard the timing a degree or two to get it to stop.  If it is a rattle and not valve related it could be low oil pressure or piston slap.  But, with these it would do it at lower RPMs and in the case of piston slap it would ususlly do it on decelleration only.  I bet it is timing related.