Rep Power: 0

Hello all,
First of all my Civic is AWESOME! i love this car and it has done me better then any of the domestics that i have ever owned.

I bought this car a little over a year ago with about 28,000km on it. I don't drive the **** out of my car but i do drive it like a sports car and i run only premium gas in it.

My issue:
At about 32,000km it started making this whining noise, which starts out quiet at about 3500 RPM and gets louder and more pronounced the higher the RPM, you could compare the noise to what a circular saw sounds like. ( hope that helps)
I notice it more when it is colder outside, but it still does it when it is warmer. I have had it to my dealer numerous times. The first time i asked about maybe the the alternator and they replaced the the fusebox under the hood under warranty, which apparently was supposed to fix it but didn't . The second time i took it to them i showed them that i could move the tensioner pulley with my hand so they replaced that under warranty and the noise DID NOT go away, and the third time i took it they told me it was normal for a chain driven engine to make this noise and when i asked why it started at 32000 km they said because something wasnt worked in yet...sounds like crap to me but anyways.

Has anyone ever had this kind of problem? At times the noise can almost be compared to a ringing noise at around 5000 RPM. The engine runs ok aside from a pronounced ticking noise that is very noticeable when going through a fast food drive thru, which apparently is normal, and it does still have lots of power...doesn't seem to have as much as it used to but it does still have lots.

Any help or advice is very much appreciated.

Thanks

 
Rep Power: 811

chain driven? are you joking. i dont think any civic has been chain driven since 1960 lol. its all timing belt. but anyway, my bro had the same problem with his rsx at 30k (same engine). they replaced the ps pump under warranty but it made it worse so now he has to go back. i think they just forgot to tighten the belt properly.

 
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you are wrong the k series are chain driven i also think that the f20c (s2000) are too. about the noise i would try ephatch.com they those guys can help.

 
Rep Power: 359

I had to get my alternator replaced after warranty. Plus Honda said that some cars came from the factory with the belts being to tight causing premature wear to the alternator bearing which creates the whining noise I was experiencing.\

I looked and he is right they are chain driven:

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...HAFT-CAM+CHAIN

 
Rep Power: 811

holy crap wow. learn something new all the time

 
Rep Power: 452

first off I would try another dealer. Sounds like the dealer you are taking it to doesnt know how to diagnosis. I just find it odd that you walked in there on 2 seperate occasions and said "Hey I think this may be bad and causing my noise" so the dealer goes ahead and replaces it. I work for a dealer and that isnt how things work. If the car comes in with a complaint, whether the car is under warranty or not, a tech will diagnosis it. Now I admit noise issues are hard to diagnosis, but there should be some diagnosis done by the dealer.

 
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I have a 03 EP3, and I have just a bit under 33,000 miles, the engine is very picky when it comes to gas, 93 octane is the way to go, but I've found that BP/Amoco 93 octane will make my engine make that ticking sound. Try a few different high octane gas brands, I've found that Citco make my engine runs the quietest. Even though Honda claims the K20a3 engine can run on 87 octane, I don't know anyone that can run that low octane without the ticking noise.

Honda claims the timing chain is a lifetime part that never needs replacing, I'd like to see how well the chain holds up at 150,000 miles.

 
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Are any honda engines supposed to run on high octane?

 
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I agree with you on both points, i refuse to run anything less then premium gas, which is 91 octane in Canada, in my car. And I really don't think that the timing chain will last forever. In my opinion a timing chain should be replace around 250,000 to 300,000 KM, which beats the recommended 100,000 km change point for a crappy belt.

What year is your RSX? My car being an 02 doesn't have a Power steering pump, it has an electric motor, with no belt connected to it, that assists the steering.

Thanks very much for your help everyone. I think I will take it to the Honda dealership in Steinback...it is an hour away but i've been told it is worth the drive...If you hear or see anything else please post it to let me know.

 
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the ticking sound is the valves the valves need a adjustment. they should be adjust every 30k miles. i had a 02 si and traded for a 06 accord ex v6.

 
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My engine makes no noise at all as long as I use good 93 octane gas, but if you put 87 octane in it, it makes a lot of noise. Besides I had the valve lash checked and it was fine.

 
Rep Power: 811

bro has an 03 rsx. and he only uses 87 octane as per the manual and its very quiet. they only recommend 89 for the type-s. idk why you would need higher anyway, the compression isnt even that high to require it.

type-s calls for 89 octane, make the s2k needs higher too idk.

 
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Acura says:
Regular unleaded 86 octane* |*BASE
Premium unleaded 91 octane* |Type-S

From Acura.com

 
Rep Power: 811

91 wow, dealer must've been lying again.

 
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Gearbox, the manual calls for 87 octane for the EP3, but if you use it, you will get a annoying ticking noise from the valves, almost like a ping. Using 93 octane clears it right up. I was told that if you run your engine hard the computer will compensate for it and advacne the timing a bit for more power. thus giving the engine a little ticking noise.

 
Rep Power: 287

this guy posted this everywhere on the net. he posted it in stickies about vtec, wrong forums, and all that jazz. atleast he finally got his question answered

 
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wow, yeah k20as has a chain. where the heck have you been lol, =)

 
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Yes you would be correct about posting all over the net...I reallly just want to find someone else who has had the same problem and knows exactly what it is. I have dealt with many dealerships AROUND HERE in the past (not all honda) and they ALWAYS try to *** you with rediculous diagnosis fees. If i know what the problem is i can just fix it myself or go to them and tell them what it is to avoid a lengthy diagnosis.

or atleast thats what i'm hoping for.