Hi guys,

I have an I4, 05 Accord with 12,000 miles. Since the 2nd oil change @ 7k miles (Pennzoil 5W-20 and Fil Tech honda filter) I'm experiencing a valve clatter (so I think it is, or it could be a ping as well) when I pull away from my driveway on the way to work (or anytime the car's been sitting for 8+ hours).

This is ever so slight, that most people won't notice (I bet the stealer won't too), but it will last (or is noticeable) under acceleration until the engine is warmed up. BTW, I let the car warm up for about a minute; until the tach drops a bit (the car is garaged, and I live in California)

Anyone else experienced this problem? Any ideas or solutions would be appreciated.

 

I know you don't want to hear this, but it sounds like it might be normal.

Although it could also be a bad lifter. If you've got a stethescope, you might try to crank it (cold), then listen to each cylinder while poking at the valve cover.

Could be something in an area where an oil port is clogged or it just takes a while for some oil to get there.


And I might be completely wrong on all accounts. Just trying to throw some ideas out there.

 

The valve clatter when cold is totally normal and should be expected the new k24 version of the Accord and TSX motors now you solid lifters, they will rap ever so slightly until warm, even then you can still hear them if you pop the hood. It's ok, don't worry about it, at 100k mi you may need a slight adjustment to them as well, but not likely.

 

Want to hear valve-clatter? Crank up an F-series motor cold! Not sure about the new K24, but in the past, Honda 4-cylinders have been notorious for noisy valvetrains. Just a nature of the engines.

 

Clatter would be an F350 7.4L diesel, my dad has one...

I had a '68 Dodge Dart prior to the Accord, it was a slant 225ci with the classic pre-'69 forged crank and the wonderful solid lifters, they needed adjustment every 15-20k mi or so. That wasn't fun, it was lifter rap like none other when she was out of tune.

The K24 in our TSX raps a tad with the hood open (nothing like above), but I'd say the engine is still smoother and more pleasant then the new 2.0L FSI in my neighbors A3.

 

The F23 in my '02 clatters like mad when it's cold. It's no big deal, though. The dealer had a good look at the valves two weeks ago for its routine adjustment and told me "this car is in great shape...not a thing wrong with it." You better believe that if they had found an excuse to get more cash out of me they would have.

 

Hmmm. lets see... if you have less than 36k miles on that
3 year old car I'd be cynical of the diagnosis.

If your over 36k miles then why are you still seeing the
dealer.

 

The car just turned over 30,000 but is beyond 36 months. I didn't ask about the valves specifically because I wasn't and am not worried about them. If the clearances are in-spec, it hums along when it's warm, and there isn't abnormal wear on accessible mechanical parts then there is no cause for concern.

I bought the car at 25K and wanted to take it to the dealer once to make sure that its maintenance schedule with me starts off right.