thisissarcastic

My civic's been making a really weird noise between 1800 and 2000 rpm!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhmCe...ature=youtu.be

It is really hard to describe the noise, so I've attached a sound clip. You will hear the noise between 0:03 to 0:06 and between 0:27 and 0:29 in the clip. The clip was recorded from inside the car with the mic under the glove box (on the passenger side). I can only hear this noise from inside the car, the engine is too loud to be able to hear this outside the car. The sound was recorded with the car in 'park'.

Also, the noise does not happen all the time, maybe 2 out of 5 times. Especially, if you let the vehicle idle for a little bit and then try to rev it between 1.8 to 2k, there is a higher chance of it happening.

So from what I've read so far. Valve timings, tranny problems, heat shield, loose bolts?

We can rule out drive shaft, bearings, etc. since the vehicle was on park when this was recorded. Since the noise doesn't change with load, i.e. if vehicle is on park or drive, i am thinking of ruling out tranny issues as well. I don't know what other diagnostics I could do... help!?

What could it be!?

Thanks in advance!

2005 Civic Si 4dr Auto 1.7L VTEC

MPR

Your engine sounds quite rough in general. Like lots of metal to metal noise. At least that is what it sounds like to me.

Is the check engine light on?

Check the oil level as it sounds like it could be very low on oil. If it is topped up, drain the oil and take a look at it as if comes out. Look for metal flakes (silver stuff) in it. This engine, to me, sounds like it's on it's last legs.

When was the last time you had the valve lash adjustment and how many km's on the car? When was the last time the timng belt was changed?

To me it almost sounds like a rod bearing or something...

thisissarcastic

Hey Mike, Thanks for your reply.

Quite frankly, you're scaring me. But its better to be informed than to ignore it.

Its at 127000, last engine oil change done at Honda dealer 125000. I am going to post a few more clips so that you can judge better. This one was taken with the mic right next to the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq_K9...ature=youtu.be

This one was taken with the mic underneath the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3VAa...ature=youtu.be

I bought the car at around 98k from a dealership. No valve lash adjustments done, timing belt not changed. Engine light appeared at around 122k, but I thought it was a regular maintenance reminder that pops up around 120k. The dealership turned off the check engine light when i took it in for my last oil change.

Another thing I have noticed is that the car feels very sluggish at times, and at other times very responsive. I was never able to realize why.

I am covered under Honda Plus power train warranty till February 2012, so if there seems to be a problem, I should take it in asap. How would I convince the dealer that its an issue though..? They would probably disagree if I tell them there is an issue with the engine.

Thanks for your help Mike, much appreciated!

MPR

The clip taken with the mic right beside the engine sounds like an exhaust leak. Like a crack in the exhaust manifold...

The clip taken under the car, again, sounds more like internal engine noise.

At this point it's very difficult to tell exactly what the sound is. If it only has 127k, I have a hard time accepting it has internal engine damage, unless the car was abused, ran out of oil or something.

It's not my intention to scare you, but rather help you find out exactly what the problem is.

Bottom line, I would need to hear and see the car in person to really be able to tell what the problem could be. I can't tell enough from the sound clips.

Where are you located?