Hey all...I have a '97 HX, and lately I've been hearing some pretty nasty sounds that I can't really explain, but I'll try anyway to see if anyone has ideas of what could be happening. When I'm driving (ie. in gear) there's a throaty knocking sound that gets faster as I go faster, especially at higher RPMs. Also, when I'm downshifting into 2nd and 1st, with the clutch still in, there's a high-pitched whine sound that slows down with the car (hopefully that makes sense). Neither of these sounds are normal at all. My friends and I looked around to see if there was anything obvious, and when we revved it up a bit, it sounds like the knocking sound is coming from the motor. We thought the transmission was the problem, but we're just not sure.

Anyway, I'm having it checked out tomorrow, but I'm just out of college and haven't found a job yet...so basically I have no money. I'm dreading that my motor might be crapping out on me, but the car only has 67,000 miles on it, and I don't really drive it too hard. Does anyone have ideas of what might be causing all this??

 

from what people have told me, and what i've heard around the forum. and just from a one time experience down shifting from 2nd to 1st is a really really bad idea. (unless you're at a stop and just moving the shifter)... someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

Even with the clutch engaged it's a bad thing? That's good to know...hopefully I haven't messed anything up. I really hope that nothing is shot on the car (the engine or the transmission)...I'd think that if there was, I'd experience something like difficulty shifting, etc. But I could definitely be wrong about that.

Anyway, thanks for the response...I'll certainly keep that in mind, and keep my fingers crossed that my car is okay...

 

You should'nt be downshifting to first, ever. It's a gear for starting from a stop -- not down shifting into. Hence why it feels hard to get into, because it doesnt want to go.

In any case, I don't think you've hurt anything doing that. Also, when going into first you will probably hear a whine that is relative to the speed of the engine, mine does it - similar to when you're in reverse.

Now, the engine noise. Could either be valves or you could have bad knock. If it's ticking and gets faster and faster with the revs, it's likely valves, at 60k miles or so, it's probably due anyway.

Go get some $1.00 tools and check your clearances.

 

Very helpful, and hopefully that's exactly what's happening with the whining. I haven't made down shifting into 1st a habit, but the few times I have it sounds aweful, and you've explained why perfectly...thanks.

Now, the knocking. When I'm driving, it sounds like a throaty knock, but the car drives just fine and I can't feel any problems at all. When the car is on, but just sitting, it's more like a ticking sound. I hope you're right about the valves...that'd be an easy fix.

Thanks again...I'll check into those things. You've allowed me to worry a bit less now...needless to say I'm a worrier and sometimes assume worst things than what's actually going on...:doh: I hope this is one of those times.

BTW...if it is a bad knock in the engine, what does that mean in terms of engine life, etc? Is my engine crapping out, or is that one of those things that just happens sometimes and I have to live with it? I'm making a 5 hr. trip to Seattle this weekend, and I want to make sure everything with my car is ready for the drive...

 

I'm pretty sure it's just that you need a simple valve adjustment and no it isn't "bad" to downshift into first gear from second.

 

 

Thanks for everyone's input...it's a relief to hear the same thoughts from everyone about it just being the valves. I'm having it checked out tomorrow (I'm not too mechanically inclined), so hopefully it'll get fixed. Thanks again!

 

yes, my civic used to do the same thing when you try to put it in 1st, even if you have the clutch engaged its not good, the whining could be from the gear itself or a number of things. As for the other part, it could either be an exhaust leak, but my guess is the valves are a little loose, valves will tick at idle, thats normal, its ok if they are a little loose, better than being a little tight, but if they start valve tapping (which it sounds like thats happening) then you need to tighten.....

 

It ended up being the main shaft bearings in my transmission...let me tell you, that was a fun bill to pay...