Rep Power: 0

Hi All,

I've got a 2003 Civic (automatic) with just over 180,000 km on it. I've had the car for 2 years and before that it was my mom's (she had bought it new). We never had any problems with it.

I've noticed during the last week as the weather has been getting colder that there's a clicking sound coming from the engine when I start it up in the morning. It's not very steady and it gets faster or slower at random. It also makes the sound when I'm stopped, but only when I'm in gear (doesn't do it when I'm in Park). The sound goes away after the temperature gauge goes up about 1/3 of the way (after about 4-5 minutes of driving) and doesn't happen again all day no matter how many times I use the car after the first in the morning.

Has anyone had this problem or heard of it? The manufacturer's warranty is finished on the car so I was hoping to take it to the mechanic already knowing what is wrong with it so I don't get charged for a whole bunch of stuff that's not necessary.

I also checked the oil and everything looks fine there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 
Rep Power: 234

Sounds like something in the transmission, possibly the flexplate. Does it shift weird?

If they have to fix the transmission your looking at several hundred dollars minimum. Major flag hours on a transmission.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the reply, but ouch.. I really hope it's not that.

I'm not sure what you mean when you ask if it shifts weird.. but it does rev a bit high when i reach around 50 km/h, like it's taking too long to change gears. It's been doing that for a while now, but I always just assumed it did that cause it was automatic... obviously I'm not very mechanically inclined, hehe.

Any other signs I should look for that would tell me it's the transmission? My check engine light isn't on, if that means anything...

Thanks again!

 
Rep Power: 234

Higher revs and late shifts are signs of "morning sickness". As your tranny ages the seals harden and leak, then they warm up and soften to where they seal and off you go. With the noises it's also making it could be just about anything in your tranny- gears, bearing, bushings, etc. Or it could be low or high fluid level. Or even an engine problem (although I doubt it).

Very common problems. These trannies are known for not lasting very long (your right at the mileage that everyone else's seems to go bad). You got a couple of choices: 1. Take it in now and have them tell ya that it needs to be rebuilt/replaced or 2. Baby it until it finally goes (who knows, maybe it'll go another 100K).

I would personally take it in and have it diagnosed now just to see what I'm dealin with. If it's something simple then whoopee. If it's the tranny your talkin $$$ and I would just baby it until it went bad or the noise drove me crazy. Good luck.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks lazlong!

You're right, I will take it in and have it looked at. And at least now I have an idea of what it could be. Pretty sure I'll end up babying it if it's the tranny! The car's paid for so may as well run it til it dies.

Thanks again for your help!!

Cheers!