Noisy valves for a few seconds on cold starts (usually)
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Noisy valves for a few seconds on cold starts (usually)
2007 Civic Si, no mods other than a stainless exhaust (headers to tips) and a stereo w/ bass.
Usually, when it is cold (well, not been run for several hours), it will sound like a diesel for a couple of seconds when it starts. The valves seem to be WAY noisy, but only for a moment - not long enough to do much aside from notice it. If you shut it off, then restart, it purrs like usual. It is only the first start that is noisy.
I've had this car less than a year, and I had a thorough mechanical inspection done before buying it. The mechanic found almost nothing wrong with it, and nothing in the engine.
The sound doesn't really bother me, but I want to know that my beloved car is not damaging itself. Any idea WTF it is?
Usually, when it is cold (well, not been run for several hours), it will sound like a diesel for a couple of seconds when it starts. The valves seem to be WAY noisy, but only for a moment - not long enough to do much aside from notice it. If you shut it off, then restart, it purrs like usual. It is only the first start that is noisy.
I've had this car less than a year, and I had a thorough mechanical inspection done before buying it. The mechanic found almost nothing wrong with it, and nothing in the engine.
The sound doesn't really bother me, but I want to know that my beloved car is not damaging itself. Any idea WTF it is?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: Noisy valves for a few seconds on cold starts (usually)
2 or 3 possibilities come to mind:
Chain tensioner rattles until oil pressure builds up,
Chain tensioner is bad and rattles until oil pressure builds up
or the VTC actuator (intake cam gear) rattles until oil pressure builds up.
I'd probably want to make sure the chain isn't stretched and the tensioner hasn't stripped its teeth----it's supposed to ratchet out and should lock, it should not allow its plunger to go all the way back in, which would allow the chain go slack and possibly jump time.
Chain tensioner rattles until oil pressure builds up,
Chain tensioner is bad and rattles until oil pressure builds up
or the VTC actuator (intake cam gear) rattles until oil pressure builds up.
I'd probably want to make sure the chain isn't stretched and the tensioner hasn't stripped its teeth----it's supposed to ratchet out and should lock, it should not allow its plunger to go all the way back in, which would allow the chain go slack and possibly jump time.
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