[edwilson13185]

When the weather is really cold (like it has been today and yesterday here in St. Louis), I've noticed a very fast tick coming from my engine. It's most noticable for the first half hour or so the car is driven, then it fades somewhat, but is still there. I mentioned this problem to my dealer about a month ago, but they couldn't find anything wrong. They did a valve adjustment, and said that should cure it. It didn't. A second dealer wasn't able to fix it, either. The sound is noticable even if I walk several paces away from the car. The noise goes away when the temperature is higher outside (40+ degrees).

I popped the hood tonight--the sound seems to be coming from the driver's side area of the engine. I noticed two things over there--what looks like the EGR valve and the PCV valve. The larger of the two, which I think is the EGR valve, had a Siemens label on it. The ticking sound seemed strongest here---is it possible that the noise is coming from a valve or solenoid in this area? Are there any known problems with any of this stuff? Or is it more likely that there's something mechanically wrong with the engine? I'd appreciate any information anybody can offer--it doesn't seem like these dealerships know what is wrong, and they don't seem remotely interested in trying to figure it out, either.

 

[ItsaHonda]

All of my Honda 4-cylinders (including the new one) have had noisy ('ticking') valves when cold. Could this be what you are hearing? From what I've gathered, it's normal valvetrain racket, so long as it quiets down as the engine reaches normal operating temps.

 

[BenjiBoy650]

Oil should take longer to warm up than the engine itself, generally.

 

[RTexasF]

ed-

What oil are you using? Silly as it sounds, some brands are noisier in Hondas than others. I use Mobil 1 0W-20 with no problems but others have complained of noise using M1. Try a different oil next change such as Havoline or Motorcraft 5W-20. They are both top quality dino oils. If the noise remains it just may be the nature of the beast but it's worth a try.

 

[jbuffethed]

Block heater probably would fix that. Its pretty much mandatory up because it gets sooooo freakin cold

 

[BenjiBoy650]

If you're really concerned about it, stick a flathead screwdriver on the valvecover, then put your ear directly onto the plastic end, and you should hear the valves. I doubt there's a problem though...mine are noticeable too. It's just one of those Honda things I guess. Maybe you can ask someone with high miles, like ssjones (150K+ on his K24).

 

[stiller fan]

as stated above, as long as the ticking goes away then oil is fully warmed up, you have nothing to worry about.... honda engines are known to tick when cold; mine does it too.....

good luck... :wave:

 

[edwilson13185]

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts.

I'm using Mobil 1 5W-20. I'd really rather not go back to dino, but I will try a different synthetic at the next oil change.

 

[zoeyfactor]

I also noticed it today for the first time...In houston its very chilly!!!!!