I have a 96 accord EX V6 with 156k. Started hearing a ticking noise from the engine over the past 6 months (it's fairly quick -- about 3 ticks per second). The noise lasts for about 6 or 7 minutes, while the engine is warming, and then disappears instantly. I change my oil every 3-4k using mobil1 synthetic. The engine runs extremely smooth and extremely quiet, except for this noise of course. It is hard to tell exactly where the noise is coming from, but it seems like the left side of the engine (maybe). Any ideas or thoughts? Like I said, the noise completely goes away once the engine is warmed up, but it still scares me.

Please excuse me if this has already been discussed...I have been searching for a while and didn't find anything that fit my problem.

 

I had a similar posting a while back for my 96 EX. When I bought from my neighbor, I hadn't actually heard it run until he delivered it to my driveway. I thought it sounded a little loud... kind of like a diesel engine. Not sure if your noise is same. This is not a valve tap ( which is pretty loud on this engine anyway ) but more of a knock. I have convinced myself it is piston slap. The noise seems to come from the block, below/to the side of the exhaust. I did a low tech evaluation of the source using a shop vac hose to my ear.

The bad news is that this generation of Accords apparently had this problem and it is not a good thing. The good news is that it quiets down when the pistons expand and it is not a death sentence. Mine has been banging away for 20K miles and it hasn't gotten noticably worse.

 

I am not sure if this is also a problem for the V6. Mine is a 4cyl

 

I would try a valve lash adjustment first. Hondas some times have a problem with piston slap cold not a lot you can do about it.

 

Its a connecting rod issue ... common to that motor (ask me how I know). Not much you can do, but try going to full syn oil and see if that quites it up (did for mine).

 

kk heres a few solution. First thing u need to do is Valve Adjustment. make sure you are using a torque ranch to adjust your valve.(Note: each valve has a different Torque) After you adjust all 16valve, add BG-109 Solution. what BG109 does is clean out your piston ring seals which cost engine noise and loss engine compressions. It will quiet down your engine noise drastically. (Note: when you add BG109 from your engine oil cap, make sure your let your engine run to normal temperature before addding it in. After it is added in, let it fun for another 10-20min. then you just do an oil change. DO NOT USE synthetic oil because your car already has 156k on it. It will just increase engine oil leak (common for accord 94-97 model). You need thicker engine oil like 10-30. I would recommand adding BG-MOA when you fill up your gas tan. this will also helps smooth out the engine noise level. I have an Accord 95 EX-Vtec, had the same problem, after about 2hrs of cleaning and adjusting, it runs like a new car. Now if you wanna run faster, you need to inject throttle cleaner. (It cleans out your throttle, exhaust and cat. conv. carbon build up.) Let me know if u have any questions on valve torque adjustment. I can post the Spec of each valve torque lb. Good luck

 

Thanks everyone!
I talked to a local mechanic and he said that I can't do a valve adjustment on the V6 engine (I think he said they are self adjusting). Let me know if you think this is wrong.
I did try AutoRx but haven't noticed any difference. I guess I will just hope it doesn't get worse.