2003 EX i4 auto 57k idle issues

[snafu]

I popped the hood on my accord this morning to see if I could track down why the whole engine is just so noisy now. Frankly, there are so many noises in that engine that I couldn't pinpoint any of them. I did however notice several more symptoms to the odd idling I've been having lately.

Cold or at temp, the radiator fans both kick on every 20 seconds or so and run for about 7 seconds. When they do, the rmps drop slightly and the engine idles rough until the fans go off. There is also a quiet, but very high pitched noise from the front of the engine compartment when the fans run. The car has been running for about 20 minutes, and it has maintained this cycle. Does anyone have a suggestion about what my problem might be?

Also, what are the most likely sources of increaded engine noise in an older engine? Anything I can do to quieten them back down?

[Accordlover]

You're about due for your 60k mile maitenence.

Some new wires, plugs, timing correction, maybe even a valve adjustment might do the trick. The 03 Accord over here just turned 57,500 and it's still rather quiet, though I still argue that the new K-Series motors have an interesting idle noise to them.

Another thing that might be the issue is the idle being off, which should be corrected during the 60k service.

[princess]

THE most likely cause of the the odd idle is Winter fuel coming out now. It takes a few tanks to get all adjusted.

The other cause for rough idle can be dirty throttle body.

The fans SHOULD cycle frequently. Too frequently can mean low on coolant or old coolant has caused corrosion, a fan motor wearing out, or a few other possibilities. Without throwing a code (check engine light on) it's probably minor. But that makes it more difficult to find.

The mounts could be getting worn too. :dunno:

Unless poorly maintained, it's not OLD!

What sort of maintenance has it had?

[snafu]

Other than regular oil changes and new brakes at 40k, the car hasn't recieved any other maintenance. It's been extremely reliable for my wife, and I want to ensure that it's reliable for me as well. So I've been making a list of things to do to get it in better shape.

I checked the coolant earlier, and it's right at the minimum, so I will add some and see if that helps.

I'm planning a weekend of maintenance including: change transmission fluid, change oil to synthetic, check and possibly replace plugs, new air filter. What other essential things should I do while I'm at it? I'm hoping that those changes will eliminate a couple of the sounds and I can pick out the other ones.

[Accordlover]

What other essential things should I do while I'm at it? I'm hoping that those changes will eliminate a couple of the sounds and I can pick out the other ones.

I forgot that Honda makes plug change intervals of 110k miles on their newer cars. So you might not need to do those. The transmission fluid is critical though.

Do you have a Honda Ownerlink Account? - http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com There's a great service guide on there that tells you what to do for each service visit.

That nice maitenance schedule makes me want a newer one! I'm tired of extensive 30k and 60k services!:lmao:

[RTexasF]

Some new wires, plugs, timing correction, maybe even a valve adjustment might do the trick

There are no plug wires on an '03 2.4l. Coil on plug ignition.

[DonutLimo]

the cooling fan puts a good load on the electrical system so that high pitch (guessing without hearing) might be the alternator working harder. it also causes more work for an idling engine, hence the 'roughness.' i can feel mine cycling when i'm at idle even being a v6. if the throttle body is dirty the idle air control valve might not move as freely so maybe the engine is playing catch up when a load is presented

[snafu]

ok, so spark plug change is out, throttle body cleaning is in...thanks for the advice, I'll let you all know how it turns out.

[princess]

Have your battery tested. A battery that has a bad cell can cause the fan timer to go haywire so the fans don’t know when to be on, it will also cause the alternator to work harder to maintain the proper voltage and current for the car thus the high pitch noise and even the idle fluctuations.

[snafu]

Ok, I'll take the car over to autozone and get the battery tested tomorrow. It's a lot less work than cleaning the throttle body.

[princess]

It depends on how they test it...if a bad cell will show up. You might want to mention it to them.