I posted a message a while back regarding a knock/rattle I was hearing around 2,000 rpms. I started noticing it at about 90,000 miles. It was most noticeable between 2,000-2,500 rpms, and I could even feel a slight vibration through the throttle cable plate. I have always kept the car maintained to a 'T' and the mileage (100,000 in 2.5 years) is all from the highway (many commutes back and forth from Michigan to Fla, New York, etc.) I've kept the engine bathed in Mobil1 synthetic oil (10w30 and 5w30) every 3-5,000 miles as well as hardly ever taken it over 3,000 rpms. In a nut shell, this has been a WELL maintained and pampered engine. I've since put on another 50,000 miles since I first heard the 'knock' without incident, but lately it had been getting a little worse. The knock could be heard even with engine at idle (especially listening from underneath the engine) and is now sounding awful when held steadily at 2,000 rpms or higher. The vibration it causes in the engine has also gotten a little worse. I finally decided to set an appointment at the Honda Car Clinic and let them diagnose it for me! I figured for $60, it was worth finding out what had been causing this racket for the last 50,000 or more miles! I brought the car in this morning, and received a call later that they had found a spun bearing. They mentioned the crankshaft bearing. Yikes! They gave me some options. They can replace the bearings for $600 which they said will buy me another 50,000 or more reliable miles, drop a used/low mileage engine for $1700 or I can continue to drive the car with a spun bearing as I have for the past year and see how much further it goes. The engine runs fantastic otherwise, burns no oil, no leaks whatsoever and is super clean. The car has always been extremely reliable... in fact, it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned and I've really become attached to it. I just can't imagine how or why this has happened. Is it possible that they misdiagnosed the car? Should I get a second opinion before I make a final decision? BTW, the car is a 1996 Honda Accord EX w/ F22B1. The engine currently has just over 143,000 miles. I expected to put at least another 100-150,000 miles on this engine! Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as this is really making me sick. Thanks guys!

 

Get it looked by at least two more mechanics (i.e. different Honda dealers). Tell them the symptoms but NOT what the Honda Clinic found. See if they all come up w/ same explanation.

I had some fair dealings with mechanics and some of them are just shooting in the dark. Ask for 2nd and 3rd opinion and let us know.

Good Luck.

 

CAM bearing should be an easy fix, the damn things are right on top?

I'd get a second opinion first, if it is the CAM bearing I'd fix it soon---the engine should run for a long time then after..the bearing is right on top and shouldn't have done any other damage as long as you've change the oil often in the past.

 

Yeah, I've always changed the oil every 3-5k miles, and have been using M1 synthetic since 60,000 miles. I've owned the car since it had 45k miles, and I've never run it low on oil and it has never overheated. But now I'm beginning to really wonder, because I just got back from my friend's house and listening to the engine in his 90 CRX (w/ 250k miles) and his girlfriend's 92 Civic (110k miles) and although theirs is not quite as loud as mine, their engines seem to make the same sound when revved up! He's coming over tomorrow w/ the CRX so we can do a direct comparison. In any case, I'm definitely going to shoot for a second opinion and let you all know what they tell me. I won't mention anything about what the Honda clinic said. Thanks for the help!

 

If it is a spun bearing, the crank will most likely have to be replaced as well. Doesn't sound like a spun bearing though since it would do a lot more damage and be less drivable (if at all) than that.

 

Are you hearing a ticking sound, just kinda loud?
Maybe you just need to have the valves adjusted.

 

I saw one Ford F-150. It started knocking between 1800-2400 RPM only.
This knocking sound was stable and was the same for over 20k.
After another 10k something come out inside. The guy who was driving a car said that broken connecting rod punched an oil pan through. It wasn’t a surprise because that car didn’t have an oil change done for about 50K. I would think that these two situations are similar but a thing is that you serviced your car very well. If it’s a crank related problem I would get a new engine.
Is $1700.00 normal price for an engine swap?

 

Doesn't sound like a spun bearing though since it would do a lot more damage and be less drivable (if at all) than that>>>

Thats why I'm having such a difficult time believing that my engine really has a spun bearing. Like I said, I first noticed the noise at around 90,000 miles...which was right around the time I had the timing belt service done. I've since driven another 50,000 or so miles without any further problems. One would think that the engine would have taken a dump long time ago...or the knock would have gotten MUCH worse by now. I'll call the local Honda dealership this week and set up an appointment to bring it in for a second inspection. I'm hoping it's something more simple like a partially blocked EGR, fuel injector or in the valve train somewhere. I'll keep everyone posted.

Are you hearing a ticking sound, just kinda loud?>>>

My valves do tick when the engine is cold, but they make a completely different sound. What I'm hearing is more of a solid knocking/rattling type sound.

 

Congrats, I read this before heading to work today and have muled the thread all day long...off and on...yeah I know...

In any case the more I think about it the less I think it's a spun bearing too. Honda matches all the bearings exactly, if you did spin a bearing you sould need not only a new set of bearings but a new CAM since I don't think you can turn and polish a CAM jornal? You also just can't replace the bearing you have to check and mic. several pairs to fit the exact ones...well a good Honda tech should. So $600 would be cheap for a CAM and bearing job. I think this is a hose job. I think you may have a bad water pump? Maybe you got a remgf. pump for a replacement with the timing belt?

I'm looking forward to your dealer update, I just don't see how Honda could have mis-installed a bearing during assembly their plants are just so methodical and analytical when it comes to assembly tolerance.

 

It cause the things like to have the shit wound out of them every now and then.

I think it's time for the H22a.