Rep Power: 0

No, not the Tappet brothers.

What makes this problem difficult to search on my car is that it doesn't always happen; I can't make it happen.

2003 Honda Civic

There is a clicking/clacking sound coming from the front of the car.
This sound does not always occur and there is no correlation as to when it does occur except that if it does happen, it happens at low speeds as I am at low RPMs and goes away at higher RPMs.

It happens whether I'm going straight or turning or parked (R/O CV joint)
It happens only when the gas is pressed at low RPMs, low speeds

I know that my car is burning oil (no leak as far as I can see) and therefore I need to regularly check oil. There was a time when this clacking was going on quite consistently, so I checked the oil and it seemed low. I added oil (added a little too much since the level was hard to see) and never heard it again. I thought the problem was low oil (at times my car burns oil faster than others). Then, the other day, it came back. I checked the oil level and it was fine.

Any ideas or other questions to help diagnose this?

Much appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 199

Sounds like it is probably a belt driven accessory. A noisy alternator or a/c clutch does the same type of thing.

 
Rep Power: 0

Randomly? At low RPMs? Hmm...the a/c MAY have been on in all cases. If so, is there something I should look for?

 
Rep Power: 199

If it was the a/c clutch it would more likely do it when the a/c was OFF. If it only does it when engaged, the compressor would be the likely culprit. Keep in mind that the clutch goes on and off independently of where the dial is, (unless it is off, of course.)

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks. Then, it may not be that. Most of the time the a/c is on, and I know it definitely was when this just recently occurred.

 
Rep Power: 0

I checked today, there was no correlation with the air conditioner, on or off. It didn't happen as much today. It MAY happen more when its very hot out.

 
Rep Power: 0

describes the sound perfectly.

Could it be the valves?

 
Rep Power: 0

I'm now pretty sure its the heat shield under the catalytic converter. It occurred today. While moving, I put the car in neutral, stepped on the gas, heard the clank (R/O transmission). Come to a stop, push the gas, no noise. Start moving, push the gas, noise. All of this going straight. Sounds like it was coming from underneath. The heat shield was flappin' away.

 
Rep Power: 0

Update - NOT the heat shield.

The clicking came back. Today, it clicked a little louder than normal followed by the check engine light. Performance seems fine. I'm going to get the code tomorrow and see what it may be.

 
Rep Power: 0

My 01 EX started this nonsense two weeks ago, but I've been to busy to bother with it. Its a very random occurring thing and it does not seem to be associated with anything. Let me know what code you get I really hope its nothing trany related (that's what I currently suspect is causing it)

 
Rep Power: 0

P0420 - The cat.
I figured this would be the case.

Based on experience, is there anyone who can offer a reason not to change the cat (and O2 sensors) or even look at something else?

 
Rep Power: 0

No comments??