Knocking/ ticking sound when first started in morning

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by SatinSilver

Drop it off the night before. That way it can sit overnight and they can check it out COLD during start up. Arrange for loaner thru dealer or get a ride to work. Usually, on saturdays theres only one or none of the techs working. Just the lube express guys doing the quicky oil changes.

They claim to have done this before i took delivery and still could not reproduce the sound... I'm get the feeling that they don't give a sh*t... Because they checked on it after the initial test drive, or so says my salesman, which is when I first noticed it... then I very clearly told my salesman that i wanted that issue looked into again and very thoroughly at that.. still no resolution... Yes I realize that I perhaps should not have taken delivery without the problem resolved to my full satisfaction, however they made various assurances and of course when I did take delivery... the noise was not there...

sidenote, not to hate on their service dept. but they didnt tighten the right rear caliper mounting bolt after replacing the rotors....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know things happen and all but they could at least have the common decency to ACT remorseful

[SatinSilver]

Whether by phone or in person deal only with the SERVICE MANAGER from now on. The sales man and service advisor are mostly interested in sales, sales, sales. Leave car overnight. Report back.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by SatinSilver

Whether by phone or in person deal only with the SERVICE MANAGER from now on. The sales man and service advisor are mostly interested in sales, sales, sales. Leave car overnight. Report back.

10-4 I'll let you know what happens

[D-JET]

the noise you are hearing is called piston slap. as the piston rings expands, the noise goes away. but it could also be valve train noise like other said. it's no big deal since it only happens for short period and goes away.

[GenXer]

Every Honda I have ever owned had a valvetrain "tick" first thing in the morning, especially when it's cold outside. Just a tick and NOT a knock. You can use an old mechanic's trick to see where the noise is coming from. Take a long screwdriver, hold it against the valve cover and place the handle against your ear. This will help you pinpoint the source. You can try that anywhere on the engine. Just be careful of pulleys, belts, etc.

[JJ_Good_Eats]

I have 245,000 miles on my V6 Accord. I had the belts, spark plugs, tensioner, idler, and PCV valve replaced at 230,000. I had the ticking sound upon start up before the work and I have it after the work was done. After driving 3 miles, the ticking sound is gone. The sound is a little louder when accelerating.

The thing I found is that the ticking is slightly less if I keep the oil level close to the higher level of the normal range on the dip stick.

[poorboyaccord]

a lot of drive accord members have had this same problem with the 08 i4 including me, when i took my car to the dealer there was a service call for this problem, they ended up replacing my vtc actuator,that was over 2 years ago no problem since even in the cold whether,but with ur being a v6, it could be somthing different

[stimrob]

Originally Posted by JJ_Good_Eats

I have 245,000 miles on my V6 Accord. I had the belts, spark plugs, tensioner, idler, and PCV valve replaced at 230,000. I had the ticking sound upon start up before the work and I have it after the work was done. After driving 3 miles, the ticking sound is gone. The sound is a little louder when accelerating.

The thing I found is that the ticking is slightly less if I keep the oil level close to the higher level of the normal range on the dip stick.

I've been out of the honda loop for some time, but if the VTEC is activated by oil pressure like it was back in my 97 civic, that would seem to point to what the guy below you said - vtec actuator.

[FillG]

Originally Posted by Thinker

its a rather well known honda dealer that starts and R

I bought a Honda from them in the mid 90s and took it back to them for service several times and was always really happy. Bought my current 03 EX from them too and their service department has REALLY gone downhill. My drivers side headlight was pointing up in the trees so I had them adjust it before I took delivery. They cranked the adjustment screw as far as it would go and it was pretty close so I accepted it. A couple weeks later it was bugging me because the light just wasn't right so I looked it over and the first thing I noticed was that the bulb wasn't plugged in right. Only 2 of the 3 tabs were in the slots when they twisted it into position. Fixed that myself then had to crank the adjuster back into alignment. That's just the first of several small things I've either fixed myself because they seem unable or I've decided not to fix. But hey, at least they have a fancy new building.

[Thinker]

OK, I finally called and asked to talk to the service manager at R*&^* Honda. They transferred me to Chad, the guy is a Honda encyclopedia, I told him my concerns about the piston slap and the AT failures in these model years. Chad told me that the piston slap is a normal thing for all Hondas, and that in the twelve years he has worked there he has never seen a problem arise from it. That is to say no one has had their engine or block replaced/ rebuilt due to this sound. He also told me that there shouldn't be anything to worry about in the future either, and well basically what we all know, IT'S A HONDA

Next I asked him about the AT failures occurring with 7th gens. He says that there's really no telling if or when this may happen, all one can do is try not to drive like a total asshat and punch it into overdrive all the time causing undue stress. Also he says that he personally changes his AT fluid every 15k instead of the recommended 30k. He said it costs about 60$ to do so that's something I need to decide on for myself seeing as how I put 1000mi on every week. Also they don't replace all of the fluid when they do an AT fluid change because that is bad for the tranny and also a lot more expensive ie: a lot more fluid would need to be purchased. Chad also mentioned that they saw a "rash" of these come in a while ago but recently they haven't had any come in. idk just fyi.

I think that's everything we discussed hopefully this helps some other people with the same concerns.

O and I go in for my 75k milestone sevice appt. ... in two weeks I guess if they are that busy they cant be all bad

[JJ_Good_Eats]

Originally Posted by stimrob

I've been out of the honda loop for some time, but if the VTEC is activated by oil pressure like it was back in my 97 civic, that would seem to point to what the guy below you said - vtec actuator.

Anyone know the part # for the VTC actuator for an 04 v6?

[Thinker]

I forgot to mention that Chad also mentioned that putting a higher octane fuel in should help the sound go away faster. simply because higher octane will heat up faster. however its obviously not worth the price difference because its not really solving anything.....

[sipho]

Hi,

I had this ticking sound, until I blew a coil....they found my spark plug had a broken tip that was stuck in the coil, when I got a new coil and a set of spark plugs the ticking went away....may sure the tips of your spark plugs are still attached.

Thanks

S

[2tango2]

I have a ticking noise at startup and like most others, the sound dissipates to a lower volume once warmed up.

However I get a chatter/clatter when accelerating..if I rev it at a light etc..nothing...giving it gas through all gears I get the chatter, loose change/clatter...ideas?

[yi3o8]

Originally Posted by 2tango2

I have a ticking noise at startup and like most others, the sound dissipates to a lower volume once warmed up.

However I get a chatter/clatter when accelerating..if I rev it at a light etc..nothing...giving it gas through all gears I get the chatter, loose change/clatter...ideas?

It could of course be a lot of things you've already went over. But I would take a couple minutes in the morning (while cold) to carefully check the middle front spark plug. You haven't replaced them I'm guessing.