[cat3]

I have a bit of the cold engine start rattle so I am assuming that it is the VTC actuator. I have done a search for answers to my questions but haven't found what I'm looking for.

What is the actual failure mode that causes the rattle? Is the locking pin defective or?
Also, has anybody here changed one out? The shop manual instructs to remove the timing chain cover. Are the Honda Techs actually doing that or is there enough room to retract the tensioner and then remove the VTC actuator?
Thanks!

 

[just02]

I can't answer your question but I think I have the same problem. It's right after you star the car on a cold start for a few seconds, right? It also happens almost every time you do a cold start, correct?

 

[cat3]

Yes, just for a couple of seconds on the first start in the morning. The colder the outside temp, the louder the rattle. It was much worse a couple of months ago when the overnight temps were in the 20's. With the temps now in the 40's-50's, it's not as bad but still there.

 

[shadow85]

Yea I had this for a while now. I'm thinking take the TSB into the dealership and hope they can start right away. TSB says 4.0hrs. Hope they can trust me and skip the 6.0hr wait to confirm.

 

[just02]

It's the strangest sound. I wish I knew if I had this same problem or not. It does not happen all of the time but if I start the car and it's both cold (cold-start) and the ambient temperature is low there's a funky noise right when/after the engine starts for like 1-2 seconds. :/ Is this the same thing you guys are experiencing?

 

[shadow85]

Sometimes it sounds grindy and sometimes it rattly.

I try to turn the key and let the beeping stop before i crank. Most of the time this helps but occasionally it wont. Definite the cold makes it more apparant. I am thinking of a new battery (maybe Duralast Gold) since the stock one is kind not so great (being at 37k miles). Maybe that will help a little.

 

[just02]

Sometimes it sounds grindy and sometimes it rattly.

I try to turn the key and let the beeping stop before i crank. Most of the time this helps but occasionally it wont. Definite the cold makes it more apparant. I am thinking of a new battery (maybe Duralast Gold) since the stock one is kind not so great (being at 37k miles). Maybe that will help a little.

Yup. I do the same thing. I also just got a new battery and there's a marked improvement. The engine very quickly and easily turns over. I've accidently let go of the key to soon once and it still started.

I'm going to call the dealer on Monday and make an appointment.

 

[avs]

I went to the dealership twice and they can't replicate the problem and said there's nothing wrong with the car. They let the car sit over night which I think it's not enough time to replicate the problem The problem is more noticeable if you let the car sit for 3 plus days. Let me know if you guys were able to get the dealership to fix the problem.

 

[spiff72]

I went to the dealership twice and they can't replicate the problem and said there's nothing wrong with the car. They let the car sit over night which I think it's not enough time to replicate the problem The problem is more noticeable if you let the car sit for 3 plus days. Let me know if you guys were able to get the dealership to fix the problem.

I am still trying to figure out if my car has this issue. My car consistently makes a noise on cold starts (an overnight shutoff is enough). However, the sound sounds like a fast rattle/grind, but only for about 1/2 of a second.

Could this still be the VTC actuator? I don't think it will be replicated at the dealer without leaving it overnight (a major inconvenience)...

One of these days I will try to record the sound/audio...

 

[dg7]

Link to A09-010 TSB

 

[avs]

Yes, just for a couple of seconds on the first start in the morning. The colder the outside temp, the louder the rattle. It was much worse a couple of months ago when the overnight temps were in the 20's. With the temps now in the 40's-50's, it's not as bad but still there.

Any news on your visit to the dealership?

 

[cat3]

Any news on your visit to the dealership?

Ah, I'm out of warranty

I was hoping that there was someone lurking here that had replaced one and could share some tips.

The local dealer seems to be whipped by a TPMS light, I would be kind of scared to turn them loose on a VTC actuator

 

[ken2681]

I had the same issue where the car rattle on the first start. I let the car sit for an hour at the dealership and they were able to replicate the problem. Good thing my car is still under warrenty and they replaced the VTC Actuator for me free of charge.

 

[Gosha]

Wow i read this thread a week ago and didnt give it much though and sure enough this morning I had the exact cold engine start rattle you are guys are talking about. I didnt think I was going to have this issue but I know someone personally who has this as well and shes drive an I4 too. This is ridiculous, whatever happened to bullet proof I4 engines Honda makes?

I scheduled an appointment but like you all said the dealer will likely not find it since its an on and off issue, which is aggravating knowing you have the issue but cant prove it. I still have 3 years left on the warranty, but was wondering whether this actuator problem is harmful to the engine and how long can it go without being serviced? If the dealer doesnt find it Ill have no choice but to keep driving with the problem...

Here are all TSB PDF's for our car if you want to print them or look at them http://mordor.rutgers.edu/accord/tsb/

 

[just02]

I'm determined to have the Honda dealer recognize the problem. Has anyone tried recording the engine startup sound and grab a sound clip? I started yesterday but it only does it when I'm NOT recording. WTF?

 

[mikeybrasileno]

i have this too. but im out of warranty. i have about 60,000 miles. (daily driver)
they may charge alot and not even fix it fully. what to do what to do..

 

[shadow85]

I thought I had this problem, but after paying more attention, I am guessing it may be the flywheel grinding. Probably need to remove the tranny to fix. Of course your problem might truely be the engine rattle tho.

 

[White Raptor]

I started my car for the first time in a week due to the weather and it made a grinding sound right after it started. Not sure what to do...It's still under warranty but I really don't want them tearing it all apart.

I'm also curious to know what kind of problems this will cause if not fixed?

 

[ken2681]

Did you all try to let the car sit at the dealership for an hour or two and have them start it? The sound can only be recreated when the engine cooled down. The mechanic was able to diagnose the issue and is indeed the VTC actuator that needs to be replace.

 

[White Raptor]

But my question is...what will happen if it isn't replaced??