I have 2002 Honda Accord SE, 4 Door, 4 Cylinder...

there are few issues which are concerning me:

1. there is a knocking noise in the engine when i start up and idle. The acceleration pedal also sticks when the engine is cold and i start up every morning. After the mornings its ok and doesn't stick.

2. My engine seems rough and a bit noisey. I want a queit and smooth drive.

3. Is there a purpose of sway/strut bars in this type of accord. if so then what are the benefits?

4. What are the benefits of using SEAFOAM and how does the whole process work

5. My car has about 110,000 KILOMETRES, what is the appropriate time to change the timing belt. What the advantages and disadvantages of changing the timing belt?




The following are a list of maintainence jobs that have been done to the vehicle in the last 2 months:
- Tune up
- oil change
- transmission oil flushed
- alignment
- brakes
- new ball joints
- new CV joints
- new muffler



suggestions to resolve the above stated issues will be a great help

Thanks!

 

I'd get a opinion from a mechanic about that knocking before i do anything. Are you sure its not a mild ticking. Most 4 banger hondas have noisy valvetrain. Which could be corrected from a valve adjustment.

 

yes, definitely consult a mechanic.. one you trust.

 

sway and strut bars will firm up your suspension giving you better handling. You'll notice a difference.

As for the knocking...yes see a mechanic.

 

Consult a mechanic on 1 and 2. Without hearing the engine it's too difficult to tell. I thought my '99 was a little noisy until I heard a few others. They all sound the same; a little clickity clackity. It's normal. But if it really is knocking then it needs to be looked at.

As for 3, I believe the TL (or some Acura) sway bar can be installed on a 6th gen Accord, but I don't know. It's been covered on this forum before. Use the search bar.

As for 4, seafoam can be used in the gas tank to clean injectors and fuel lines, in the oil to clean your internals up or through the PVC valve to clean your manifold and fuel injectors up. Read the instructions on the bottle. Use it just like it says. Alot of guys swear by the stuff. I've used it with minimal change but I don't think my car really needed it. Again, been covered on the forum. Use the search bar.

For 5, 110,000 Kilometers is about 70,000 miles. The timing belt should be changed at 105,000 miles for the 6th gen accord so you have a while yet. There really are no noticable changes when you get your timing belt chaged, or at least there shouldn't be. It's just simply replacing the belt so it doesn't snap and destroy your engine via bent valves. I'd recommend going to the dealership for it so your covered if something goes wrong. They will opt to replace a few other things like the water pump and belt tensioner. But it's a waste to do it before the 105K miles mark.

For the list of items you mentioned you have done, all sound good except for the transmission flush. Assuming you have an automatic transmission, never get it flushed. At least not the flush that most tranny shops do. Those "power" flushes will wipe a 6th gen honda tranny out. Though they fixed most of the quirks (carrier bearings) in the transmissions by 2002, honda's archilles heel has been it's automatic transmission for at least the last decade. Be easy on it. Only used authentic honda auto tranny fluid and only change it via draining and replacing. If your tranny is manual then you don't have much to worry about. Use honda authetic manual tranny fluid for that. I think most of the SE's were auto's though. Good luck!

 

My 97 was the same with noise. When I first got I ended up adjusting the valves, but found it was still noisy. Listened to other engines and they where the same. SOHC are reliable but noisy. Now I 2nd that opinion on changing fuild with your honda.