HHCZ

and was it the same, or better or what after the replacement part? I hear "something" "sometimes" too, but really that should be considered as normal I think. My VTC noise was awful and embarrassing, but after the change it is ok (knock knock)

richyrich1988

did they charge you?

richyrich1988

according to www.acurapartsnow.com the VTC actuator is part no. 14310-R40-A01

richyrich1988

my car just started doing this... i mean ill try to go thorugh acura.... but if they wont do it for free ill just do it myself with my friend who is a mechanic and ill do a write up and make a thread with pics to save people money... its $231 in parts for the chain, the VTC actuator and the two guides...

funny thing is i have a 2010 with only 55k miles!! that's not a lot for a 5 year old car...

t3hhcaptain

I have had my VTC actuator replaced by Acura, and it started doing it about a week later again. It isn't as bad as it was before, but it is doing none the less... particularly when it is cold outside.


I kind of wonder if you were to pull the fuse for the fuel pump, let it turn a few times, replace the fuse and start the car if it would help? It seems like maybe the part just isn't being lubricated as it should.

TexasHonda

Worth trying a few times manually removing fuse to see if this approach works. Delay to reinstall fuel pump fuse and restart may cause failure to eliminate noise.

You could make a switch circuit using the fuel pump fuse interface (including a fuse) to allow disabling the fuel pump before attempting to start. After turning over, enable fuel pump, and start. However, engine will need to turn over for perhaps 5-10 secs to build oil pressure. Trail & error will guide starting time.

Post your findings.

good luck

t3hhcaptain

Also, those with this issue: What type of oil are you running?

richyrich1988

im running 5W-20 a thicker oil would probably hold up a little better...but I just put in what's recomended

zup2sky

I can attest to this. I had my vtec actuator replaced by Acura 2 years and it started doing it again.

TexasHonda

I wonder if some of these problems could be the starter. See following link.

Bad Honda Starter? - Automotive Service Professional

good luck

t3hhcaptain

Interesting... that is a good question.


This is entirely anecdotal, but mine seems to grind almost never when I put the key in the on position, wait for the CEL to turn off, then start.

Mercedes>BMW

Well supposedly the VTC isn't getting lubricated when people crank up the car by just getting in the car and turning it on. I'm going to put the key in, put it to the second position, wait 5 seconds, and then start the car up.

I don't want to spend money on replacing the VTC if soon enough the car will act the same way, but I also don't want bent valves as some have reported here (with a huge engine rebuild cost for many other components also). I think as long as the VTC won't be grinding anymore everything will be okay.

Mercedes>BMW

Anyone have anything to add?


My independent mechanic said he's replaced many vtc actuators and the problem has not come back (on Hondas and Acuras). It seems like when I put the key into position 2, wait 10 seconds and start the car it seems like it makes the noise 50% of the time.

t3hhcaptain

Synthetic oil supposedly does a better job of clinging to cylinder walls after the engine has been sitting all night, so this might apply to the actuator. If you aren't running synthetic, you would try that, maybe 5w-30 instead of 5w-20... Wait longer... Have it replaced if not...


Like I previously said, I had mine replaced and about a week later I heard it grind again.


Maybe it is the starter like TexasHonda mentioned.


It doesn't seem to hurt anything and mine rarely acts up at this point, so I'm just leaving it be for now.

ssjoeboe9

Synthetic oil doesn't help

I have run full synthetic 5W-20, 10W-30, and 15W-50.. all have still reproduced the problem, however the thicker oils helped better in the cold (30-40F), but that's not really a good thing to run heavy oil in the winter. I just live with the noise since it's not actually harming anything.

Mercedes>BMW

^ but what about people that get bent valves from the VTC actuator failing?
I was hoping you'd educate us on this issue!

ssjoeboe9

All I can comment on is my personal vehicle and the oils I have used that have not made a difference...

I can tell you that I'm not worried about it though lol.

t3hhcaptain

I haven't seen many people getting bent valves from the vtc actuator but I also live under a rock.

I'm with ssjoeboe on this. Doesn't seem to be hurting anything. It's more annoying than anything else. Just ignore it. Happiness comes from inside.

SilvyTSX

We are finally getting some cold temps here in TX and my 10 TSX is making this same noise. I am going to try a new battery and starter first since those are relatively easy and cheap parts. I have around 80K miles.

I did find something interesting on the driveaccord forum for the same issue.

"Just came back from the dealership and they have informed me that Honda has addressed the vtc problem and that they will be releasing a new vtc fix in Feb. 2016. They are not currently repairing vtc parts until the new solution is released in Feb. If you are on record at Honda that you addressed the problem, I believe you should be given an extension."

cyberbro

I was always thinking this is just the starter, VTC issue? I would think it would do it more often then just at start up. My car is a 2009 and does that sound too.

TexasHonda

I was performing B134 maintenance service today and re-started engine after being off for 4-5 hours in relatively cold temps. The VTC actuator noise was present for 1-2 secs. After quizzing my wife who drives the car mostly, I found that she had noticed the noise also on occasion, typically a cold start. Noise is not bad, at least compared to the starter noise I've heard before on other Honda/Acura products.

I have the TSB for replacing the VTC and procedure doesn't look too bad. I would estimate a long day for most DIY'rs.

Problem is there appears to be significant potential for re-occurrence!

I think I'll live w/ noise for a while and explore options to create a "cold start delay" to allow oil pressure to build before enabling fuel pressure.

regards

Itr0059

[QUOTE=SilvyTSX;15643321]We are finally getting some cold temps here in TX and my 10 TSX is making this same noise. I am going to try a new battery and starter first since those are relatively easy and cheap parts. I have around 80K miles.

I did find something interesting on the driveaccord forum for the same issue.

"Just came back from the dealership and they have informed me that Honda has addressed the vtc problem and that they will be releasing a new vtc fix in Feb. 2016. They are not currently repairing vtc parts until the new solution is released in Feb. If you are on record at Honda that you addressed the problem, I believe you should be




Finnaly keep us update !

TexasHonda

I did a search of 1st Gen TSX forum and no mention of VTC Actuator rattle, not one!

I checked and VTC part no's are different from 1st Gen to 2nd Gen. What was changed to cause a new part to be needed? Probably different rotation limits.

good luck

TexasHonda

I have seen only vague suggestions of VTC actuator noise source. It is not obvious how such a simple component causes the grinding/snapping noise. I reviewed the component function video on youtube several times and have a theory:

( ),

The rotation of the camshaft suggests a possible source of noise. If the VTC actuator is unlatched (not clear why it should be unlatched on shutdown however), then on startup, the action of the rotating cam lobe on the VTC actuator could cause the actuator to slam from advance to retard position repeatedly until oil pressure overcomes the mechanically forced movement.

Perhaps lock spring is too weak and sometimes fails to engage locking pin or pin tolerance issue?

The video makes clear that oil can drain from the VTC actuator circuit so some delay in oil pressure seems inevitable.

FYI, there are numerous extended discussions of VTC actuator noise on multiple forums. None significantly different that this one. As pointed out there may be a fix coming in February, but this problem apparently goes back at least to 2008 Accords, TSXs, and CRVs. The long delay/persistence suggests problem may be difficult to resolve.

good luck

richyrich1988

any updates yet? im holding off on doing anything until this "February update" comes out

richyrich1988

Bump, anyone heard anything about this? it's march lol

blacktsxwagon

Looking for more information as well...

blacktsxwagon

Looks like a new part is out and available for HONDA products with the K24 engine, but the TSB has not been revised for our car yet. The new part number is 14310-R5A-305. Taking my car in for other service on Monday, I will let you all know what happens.

richyrich1988

7 14310-R40-A01 14310-R40-A01 / ACTUATOR ASSY., VTC (46T)

$169.32$126.99

richyrich1988

that's what came up when I searched for my VTC actuator (2010)


not sure why your part no. is different than mine.... because wagon?

t3hhcaptain

I think the part number blacktsxwagon is referencing is perhaps succeeding 14310-R40-A01. I did some investigating and it seems the 14310-R5A-305 part number is actually what already exists in the Accord, so I'm going to say the information is inaccurate.

blacktsxwagon

Nope. That is the old defective part. The one above is the revised part. Brand new and may not be in all systems yet.

14310-R5A-305 | Honda ACTUATOR, VTC (46T) - Bernardi Parts

t3hhcaptain

I'll stand corrected.

Read #71. I misread what it said.

2008 Honda Accord Grinding Noise At Start Up: 72 Complaints

So maybe it is a new part.

t3hhcaptain

There is also this part number:
14310R44A01

blacktsxwagon

Dealer confirmed that no new part exists for our engine yet. They are replacing mine with 14310-R40-A02. I know this will likely fail again, but hopefully they will have the new part for next time. Our engine is actually somewhat different from the Accord and CRV mentioned above I guess. Tuned to run on premium and different timing. We have the same engine as the 2013-2015 ILX 2.4L and 2012-2015 Civic Si. If those are ever updated, there should be a new part for us.

xtcnrice

Yeah someone from the CU2 Squad facebook group confirmed that there's still no solution for the 8G Accord's equivalent TSB. Honda sent this person a letter stating that no action should be done by the dealership to correct the TSB until further notice.

I've experienced this grinding noise myself about 3 times now; maybe once a month or so since 3 months ago.

xtcnrice

Some potentially good news. Honda started shipping a new VTC part to dealerships. This might be the solution to this problem... if so, should see an update to the TSB in a few months or so.

hansolofliesacura

Having owned the v6 Accord, which has an infamous Piston/Ring Issue (where 1 bank needs new rings as they leak oil), and my engine was fixed by Honda...the concern with the 4 cylinder is the VTC Actuator. I test drove a 2011 TSX, it had 55K miles and the Cold Start Screech was clear as day.

I took the 2013, which didn't have the issue, but it seems like it's just a matter of time, no?

xtcnrice

Yeah seems that many of us on this forum have this issue, so I wouldn't be surprised when the time comes (it could already be happening, but you just haven't ran into it yet).

HondaGuy347

Anything on this? My car has been doing this every single time when starting cold (sitting more than 3-4 hours) for the past year or so. Driving me friggin' bonkers. Sounds like a damn hoopty.