[nthnwood]

My 2014 Honda Accord Sport has ~220k miles on it. About 50% of the time when I start the car there is a sort of rattling sound for all of half a second. The timing chain has never been replaced, and I know that if it gives out the car is essentially totaled. Wanted to get some opinions for getting the chain replaced. Very trustworthy mechanic quoted ~$1400 for a full replacement of the chain, sprockets, tensioners, etc. Is this something I do not need to worry about or should I go ahead and get this done?

For some additional context, I am not planning on getting a new car any time soon and would love to have this one basically until it dies on me.

 

[mtts60]

It's a somewhat common problem on the 4-cylinder engine. It can be fixed for not much $ as long as you do it. See: 2016 Accord - Rattle On Startup, Intermittent Oil Warning Light | Honda Accord Forums

 

[Carlukok]

Not a horrible deal I'm doing this exact job at home on my 14 Sport right now and would ask him to replace all the while I'm in there stuff,my cart at Rockauto is about a grand just for parts w me doing it at home im a hobbyist that can just about throw a.wrench.

I'm wrestling w the crankcase bolt on mine it's not budging with Milwaukee hi tq gun,I reached out to a buddy that is a trucker w tools it's that tough to budge I thought I was being a dumb bunny no that's on there he said and is getting some of his truck stuff,so it's probably the toughest part of the diy.

My kid will inherit it and will hopefully get another 200K good luck

 

[Iirot]

You might try changing the timing chain tensioner, it looks fairly simple.

 

[Carlukok]

I think that would be good place to start with a caveat, my 14 with 180K had a stretched chain enough to move around on the lower cam sprocket to jump a tooth!

This caused me a headache of now having to pull the car apart and fix what was my mess up.
I did get the camshaft bolt with a lisle 19 mm,after all the sweat third time with a new gun it just came off.

 

[Blackheart]

Title: Rattling Sound on Cold Start – Should I Replace Timing Chain?
Any advice or similar experiences appreciated!

If it is just the tensioner that has run out of room/ability to tighten the chain, the tensioner may be all you need. It's a DIY job if you are handy with tools. If not, it's not very expensive to have it done. IF THAT WORKs, you don't have to do all that other work. If it doesn't, THEN pay to have all the other work done, and you'll already have a new tensioner. Search for Tensioner replacement on this site. I did mine in my driveway...it's not hard...you just have to follow instructions and don't drop anything into the engine!

 

[Us545]

You might try changing the timing chain tensioner, it looks fairly simple.

At the beginning you'll hear what it sounds like if it's the tensioner. This is the exact video I followed when doing mine about a week ago. Very simple and easy to do, even for me..