Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
04-30-2017
#1
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Thread Starter
Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
I can hear the grinding noise from under the hood, either when I am standing in front of the engine, or if I drive slowly on local road, or wait for red light. I can't hear it once driving on the highway most likely due to the highway noise is louder.
Basic the noise is not related to driving, or turning the wheel, or give some gas, or apply the brake... It happened when the car is idling. The rhythm is not even, but definitely I can hear once or twice every 5 seconds.
the picture, audio/video recording is here:
http://imgur.com/a/foIqA
Thank you for your help!
Basic the noise is not related to driving, or turning the wheel, or give some gas, or apply the brake... It happened when the car is idling. The rhythm is not even, but definitely I can hear once or twice every 5 seconds.
the picture, audio/video recording is here:
http://imgur.com/a/foIqA
Thank you for your help!
04-30-2017
#2
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Does the noise change substantially if the AC compressor is running? (huge clue)
Put a stethoscope (real or improvised) on the body of the AC compressor and listen. Same for alternator. Where is the noise the loudest?
Remove the AC/Alternator belt and see if unusual noise is gone.
Spin the AC compressor pulley by hand and listen for roughness and feel for excessive play/movement of a failing bearing.
Spin alternator pulley listen for the same issues.
From the recordings I'd suspect the compressor pulley bearing is failing, and if you watch it carefully you may be able to see it wobble rapidly side to side during the times the noise is loudest.
Put a stethoscope (real or improvised) on the body of the AC compressor and listen. Same for alternator. Where is the noise the loudest?
Remove the AC/Alternator belt and see if unusual noise is gone.
Spin the AC compressor pulley by hand and listen for roughness and feel for excessive play/movement of a failing bearing.
Spin alternator pulley listen for the same issues.
From the recordings I'd suspect the compressor pulley bearing is failing, and if you watch it carefully you may be able to see it wobble rapidly side to side during the times the noise is loudest.
04-30-2017
#3
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hello ezone,
Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate your help!
I am going to buy stethoscope
here is the audio recording (AC turned on at 20th seconds):
I can't dintinguish whether noise changed or notif the AC compressor is running. What do you think?
as far as remove the AC/Alternator belt, I am not sure which one is ac belt or alternator belt. here is a picture I take:
https://imgur.com/a/DY498
Once again, Thank you very much!
Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate your help!
I am going to buy stethoscope
here is the audio recording (AC turned on at 20th seconds):
as far as remove the AC/Alternator belt, I am not sure which one is ac belt or alternator belt. here is a picture I take:
https://imgur.com/a/DY498
Once again, Thank you very much!
04-30-2017
#4
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
I am going to buy stethoscope
Or buy one.
recording....I can't tell a difference, but I was only hoping for a very easy clue. Continue.
Picture:
Top unit is power steering pump.
Alternator is correctly labeled.
AC compressor is below the alternator, AC and alternator share the same belt.
05-01-2017
#5
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Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Is this a manual trans? Input shaft/throwout bearing?
Check the components that are driven by the belts: PS pump, alternator, A/C compressor (mentioned above), timing belt tensioner, idler, water pump etc. What has been the timing belt service history?
Check the components that are driven by the belts: PS pump, alternator, A/C compressor (mentioned above), timing belt tensioner, idler, water pump etc. What has been the timing belt service history?
05-01-2017
#6
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hi NDNV,
Thank you for replying!
this is auto trans. whining/grinding noise happen when I parked and engine idle.
I am not sure if I have Throw out bearing or input shaft bearing, are they related to transmission/clutch?
the car is about 115k miles, I didn't change timing belt.
Does the noise related to mechanic part, or dirty fluid most likely?
Thanks again for your help!
Thank you for replying!
this is auto trans. whining/grinding noise happen when I parked and engine idle.
I am not sure if I have Throw out bearing or input shaft bearing, are they related to transmission/clutch?
the car is about 115k miles, I didn't change timing belt.
Does the noise related to mechanic part, or dirty fluid most likely?
Thanks again for your help!
05-01-2017
#7
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hi ezone,
AC compressor is not visible from the top, how can I access it? can I assume I need to go under the car then touch one end of wooden dowel to the AC compressor?
AC compressor is not visible from the top, how can I access it? can I assume I need to go under the car then touch one end of wooden dowel to the AC compressor?
05-01-2017
#8
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
I am not sure if I have Throw out bearing or input shaft bearing,
AC compressor is not visible from the top, how can I access it?
05-01-2017
#10
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
05-02-2017
#11
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hi ezone,
I use a hollow plastic pipe, one end touch the components (engine, alternator, compressor...) the alternator is louder.
I provide some additional information here. Can you do me a favor to take a look and suggest what might be the next step.
http://imgur.com/a/UZTGM
I will bring it to another shop maybe Thursday to have different opinion. It almost seems when I drive for a few miles (10 mile or longer), the noise is less obvious. but at home it's cool down, it become louder. I am going to do couple of more test to see if that's the pattern.
Many thanks for your help. Really appreciate
I use a hollow plastic pipe, one end touch the components (engine, alternator, compressor...) the alternator is louder.
I provide some additional information here. Can you do me a favor to take a look and suggest what might be the next step.
http://imgur.com/a/UZTGM
I will bring it to another shop maybe Thursday to have different opinion. It almost seems when I drive for a few miles (10 mile or longer), the noise is less obvious. but at home it's cool down, it become louder. I am going to do couple of more test to see if that's the pattern.
Many thanks for your help. Really appreciate
05-02-2017
#12
Registered!!
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Strongly recommend you do the timing belt service ASAP with tensioner, waterpump, accessory belts, coolant and thermostat on your 2002 with 115,000 miles if not done as you say. Also check the seals while in there for leaking.
05-02-2017
#13
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hi ezone,
I use a hollow plastic pipe, one end touch the components (engine, alternator, compressor...) the alternator is louder.
I provide some additional information here. Can you do me a favor to take a look and suggest what might be the next step.
http://imgur.com/a/UZTGM
I will bring it to another shop maybe Thursday to have different opinion. It almost seems when I drive for a few miles (10 mile or longer), the noise is less obvious. but at home it's cool down, it become louder. I am going to do couple of more test to see if that's the pattern.
Many thanks for your help. Really appreciate
I use a hollow plastic pipe, one end touch the components (engine, alternator, compressor...) the alternator is louder.
I provide some additional information here. Can you do me a favor to take a look and suggest what might be the next step.
http://imgur.com/a/UZTGM
I will bring it to another shop maybe Thursday to have different opinion. It almost seems when I drive for a few miles (10 mile or longer), the noise is less obvious. but at home it's cool down, it become louder. I am going to do couple of more test to see if that's the pattern.
Many thanks for your help. Really appreciate
Uploaded 13 hr
here is the paper clip, about 2x4 inch. The only explanation I found online is from this article: http://arrc.ebscohost.com/ebsco_stat...Alternator.htm it talk about BAT terminal, FLD terminal which I have no clue. But this caught my attention: "grounding F terminal remove the regulator from circuit and forces full alternator output". ***Question #4*** should the paper clip remain there ( to serve some purpose), or it simply a technician made a mistake and he should removed it after some testing ? btw: I found following image from youtube, it has similar layout of my alternator. To best of my knowledge, the paper clip is connecting these two spot (marked as arrow)
Summary: 1) I went to 3 shops, when they do the checkup, the noise is not obvious, and they all feel there is nothing to worry. 2) the pin was attached to alternator (not sure how long), what's that for? 3) one technician knock out the paper clip while engine is running. Should I put i back? 4) autozone and o'reilly's battery test suggest battery is bad but also show "full", they could not explain. Should I replace battery as step 1 and see if that will fix the noise issue?
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Throw away the paper clip, it should not be where you found it.
I would guess it was probably used to jump a relay socket or similar electrical jumper elsewhere
(I use paper clips all the time for electrical testing)
Alternator IS magnetized while in operation, it's operating principles include electromagnetism.
With the engine running and noise obvious, try disconnect the 4 wire plug from the alternator and see if noise subsides.
05-02-2017
#14
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Thank you for the paper clip thing
for "4 wire plug", are you referring to this:
https://imgur.com/a/xCXNG
it's one plug with 4 wire in it?
Basically unplug it so that alternator will not running, and engine will run on battery. And it's equivalent to remove the alternator belt?
is this correct steps?
1) turn off engine
2) unplug the 4 wire plug
3) start the engine and see if noise reduced.
Thanks again
05-02-2017
#15
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Thread Starter
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
Hi NDNV,
I found this diy instruction (https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...-belt-diy.html), and it's pretty complicated, and it says "need to remove the valve cover"... http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...Vlocations.png
I am going to take to another shop this week, ask him to quote on the timing belt replacement, and any other component needed to replace to resolve this noise issue.
Thanks again for all your help!
I found this diy instruction (https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...-belt-diy.html), and it's pretty complicated, and it says "need to remove the valve cover"... http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...Vlocations.png
I am going to take to another shop this week, ask him to quote on the timing belt replacement, and any other component needed to replace to resolve this noise issue.
Thanks again for all your help!
05-02-2017
#16
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: Honda civic 02 EX grinding noise from under the hood
it's one plug with 4 wire in it?
And it's equivalent to remove the alternator belt?
The internal parts driven by the belt and pulley will still be rotating as normal while the engine is running.
is this correct steps?
1) turn off engine
2) unplug the 4 wire plug
3) start the engine and see if noise reduced.
1) turn off engine
2) unplug the 4 wire plug
3) start the engine and see if noise reduced.
Note if noise goes away.
Reconnect plug.
Assuming no change was noticed,
Next I would remove the belt from the alternator and AC compressor, and recheck for the noise.
