This is not part of the creaky or clicking clutch issue. I have a 2004 TSX with the 6-speed manual. I purchased it from a local dealership just before the 60K mile mark. Since I purchased the car I have had the dealer do everything on the vehicle. Not too long after the 60K service I discovered the creaking clutch issue and the dealer put in a new master cylinder. Now my clutch operates smooth and quiet.

But now there is a new problem. Car has 72K miles on it. At various and unpredictable times when releasing the clutch in 1st gear the car groans. It seems to make the sound most often when I am turning the car (particularly to the left) and starting out from a stop and accelerating slowly. But it sometimes will make the groan even when I'm just going straight.

The dealer had a look and did not see anything obvious. I took it for a ride and got the car to groan for the dealer technician once, but it's not an easily repeatable event.

Anybody else have an issue like this? The car seems to function fine except for this sound that happens. Nothing seems to slip, stop working or anything. Could it have something to do the steering perhaps?

I've search the forums and can't seem to find this issue discussed. Maybe I'm the first lucky owner with this one.

PS. I'm a relative newbie here. Is there a "most miles" thread? My three-year old car with 72K has got to be near the top.

 

there are a few people who have gone the 100k mark. I believe one of the most miles I've seen is sauceman (who has a 6mt also) who was roughly at 180k miles. But I don't think he's on this board too much now.

 

I've got something that may be similar to yours. My car would do/does this groan/shudder thing when launching in first. It's not every time but reasonably regular. This has been going on for about 20K miles. I'm around 40K now and it's an 04. Dealer can't replicate, replicates but blames my driving style, etc. Finally zone manager drives car and says hood is loose. They tighten up my hood. That helped the problem substantially but I feel it is still present. Maybe more noticeable to me because I had an amplified version of it through my hood so I'm very aware of it and now it's just a reasonable vibration that I'm very sensitive to. Makes me hate the car. But you know, maybe your hood is misaligned or too loose and it's making something normal seem alot worse. Good luck.

 

Hey

I bought a used 04 TSX back in April. I've been experiencing exactly the same thing as you (original poster). Groaning is a good way to describe it. I've been trying to figure out if there was some kind of pattern behind it (which way the wheel is turning, temperature, whether the car is warmed up, stopped - first, stopped - reverse, etc.) but so far haven't come up with anything.

Searching around here and the UK accord forums I've found a couple posts that sound similar, but no solution is offered.

I've tried changing the transmission fluid, but that didn't help. I think I'm going to flush the clutch fluid next.

Other possible explanations I've heard are a glazed clutch.

For me it is happening about 3-5 times/week. Not something I was planning to bring to the dealership's attention, because it just happens too infrequently. But it is quite irritating, and I'd love to hear if anyone has any recommendations or suggestions.

Jeff

 

By the way, the problem I'm experiencing is definitely not clutch shudder (had that happen on another car). It's just a groaning noise that seems to happen when engaging clutch.

And, like the original poster said, the car seems to launch fine otherwise -- no shudder, no slipping.

I've got about 65k kilometers (40,000mi).

I'm hoping that changing the clutch fluid will solve the problem. Perhaps there's a bit of air in there???

 

maybe the power steering pump?

 

I'm so happy I'm not alone! The car really shows no problems at all, just this random noise.

scheißterhöffer, do you know where the hood was loose? Was it the latch? I'm going to go through that car like crazy now and make sure everything is tight.

I wondered about the power steering pump too. I thought perhaps the belt was loose or slipping, but it's tight and looks good.

Crazy problem. Great car, just this funny little thing...

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Work has been crazy.

-Roundy

 

It's something to do with a bearing in the clutch assembly.

 

I don't really know where it was loose; there's a couple places they can make adjustments. There's a couple round black rubber pads about the size of a nickel in the front, sort of over the headlights, that you can turn to move them up or down to make them sit tighter against the hood. Then the latch itself can be adjusted. I also believe the arms that connect the hood to the body back around the windshield allow for some adjustment. I know they turned the black rubber knobs and also adjusted the latch. I'm not sure if they did anything to the arms connecting it to the hood. If you get it tight enough it will be difficult or impossible to close the hood. The guy sort of felt it out roughly by making a fist and lightly hitting the hood around the perimeter. Doing this, you could hear where it vibrated more. The easiest adjustment is the knobs. But I also think given the number of places you could adjust, it may be possible to make it worse and really difficult to properly realign.

I really don't believe this is the problem with my car. I do believe it amplified a less obvious problem. I believe that less obvious problem is still there and I'm very attuned to it because I dealt with it in a severe state for some time. I think the problem is with the clutch. But I do think my loose hood made it much more noticeable by amplifying it. I think aaronng is referring to a problem with the throwout bearing that several others here have had. I suggested this to my dealer but they didn't seem to think this had merit. Man I hate my dealer.

Good luck.

 

I am experiencing a similar "groaning" noise coming from the front of the car. I thought is had something to do with my installation of my Tein SS coilovers, but now I think it was merely coincidence. I experience the noise when turning the steering wheel to the left, and releasing the clutch and applying the gas pedal. It happens from a stop and then going forward. It does not happen when going in reverse at all. I notice it most when turning the wheel left and being on a slight incline from a stop, and then going forward. I sure hope someone can come up with a solution to this problem and maybe have a TSB soon...I would love to get this annoying noise fixed.

Tim

 

KingTSX - that sounds very much like what I was experiencing. At first I thought it was related to having the steering wheel turned right (not left). Then I thought I noticed a correlation between the noise and when I would go to first gear after having been in reverse. I began to double-clutch for these shifts and haven't noticed the problem again in this situation (but could easily be a coincidence).

I agree that it seems more common in the type of situation where you say you notice it most, but I have definitely had it happen in many other scenarios (again - not something that happens often, say 3 times a week).

I've seen people hypothesizing about the noise being caused by rubbing (the serpentine belt was mentioned in one case, I believe), but I really don't know much about this.

I guess I'll start searching for details on the throwout bearing problem.

Glad you started this thread, Roundy.

 

Me too! I keep looking at the serpentine belt and wondering... I'm a do-it-yourself kind of guy usually but this one has had me stumped. I am loathe to take it to a dealer and have him replace parts until it stops. The car is not under warranty (obviously), so a trial-and-error method of looking for the problem is not appealing (for my pocketbook). I'm willing to replace my serpentine with a new one and see if it stops and report back to everybody.

How many miles were on your cars when they started to do this? Mine was in the upper 60's to around 70K.

 

Maybe making a list of year of car, MT or AT, lowered (what kind), engine modifications, etc...that have relevance would be helpful.

-04' M6T
-56k on the car
-Ingalls ETD
-Tein SS coilovers

 

04 M6T
40k
Aspec suspension

 

Update, now the car is making the noise when turning to the right also...I think this issue needs to be addressed more closely to find out the exact problem and solution

 

King TSX - please keep us up to date.

I have not yet had my clutch fluid flushed -- hoping to get to that next week.

Here's an old thread I came across - not all that interesting, and the discussion gets a little blurred with people describing some different clutch issues. But, for what it's worth:

https://acurazine.com/forums/archive...p/t-25557.html

 

I have 87,500 miles on my 2004 TSX. Just recently got a clicking noise which would stop only with the clutch engaged. It will continue to click loudly while braking or accelerating. I took it in and the service manager said it is something inside the tramsmission which would cost over $4000 to fix - and there is no guarantee they would even find it. Since it is past warrantee - they told me to trade it in.

 

This sounds like a different problem than the original poster's issue. Check out this thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33489.

 

have that groaning sound when releasing the clutch in 1st gear for a long time............took it to dealer for road test...............told me it's not frequent enough to do anything................
06 MT
CAI
first groaning ~20K km
now >50K km

happen for more than 6 months, took it to deal a few months ago...........every week groaning for 4-5 time

took it to dealer again last month, road test again............demonstrated the groaning sound..........told me it may be something wrong with the clutch bearing..........but they didnt do anything to follow up

NOW, groaning at least 2 times PER DAY !!!!!

i am going to another dealer again, see what will they say. if they do nothing, i think i will send a letter to Honda

 

Keep us updated on the progress with this issue, I am going to jump on the bandwagon if they find it to be an issue that can be reasonably solved...

 

I have the manual tranny also, and i have the groaning

car has 56k miles, '04. not much mods. unfortunately it's out of warranty due to mileage

It usually happens when I start on 1st from stop when the transmission is cold. It's easy to do this because when I leave my driveway I have a big dip to get out from, and the stress when getting out from the dip causes the groaning. I'm pretty sure it's from the clutch..i'm usualy making a left turn also at the same time

 

I think I've had the same problem with my 2005 TSX, 6M. At first it would happen a couple of times a week, usually when cold, and I thought it was related to letting the clutch out with the wheels turned right. Now it happens a couple of times a day, regardless of hot or cold or turning or straight.

I would describe it as more of a "squeal" than a "groan." I asked the dealer to look at it at 10,000 miles and again at 15,000 miles, but they were unable to reproduce the problems and "adjusted the belts."

I'm guessing the throwout bearing is hanging up on the input shaft, either inadequate grease or a poor fit.

My warranty is up in another 6 months. I keep hoping for a technical bulletin from Acura, describing the symptoms, so that I can take it to my dealer before the warranty runs out.

Mine is a 2005, M6, bought new in July '05, now with about 17,000 miles on it.

 

How do you have a 2005 TSX bought new in July 2005 with 17K miles and warranty that is up in 6 months?

 

I have a '04 TSX w/65,000 miles & have had the "groaning" noise for about 55,000 of those miles. I've been told by several friends who know a lot about cars that it's probably the throw out bearing like posted above...but of course the dealer is "unable to duplicate"... Gotta love the dealer's hear no evil see no evil attitude...what a joke....

 

A quick update - had the clutch fluid flushed last Wednesday, and the problem still occurs.

 

Clutch release bearing.

 

Right. It seems like the majority of feedback is pointing to the clutch release bearing (and I know -- you did suggest that a couple of weeks ago).

Jeff

 

more evidence:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...1&page=1&pp=25

 

Hmmm.... throwout bearing then. OK. Oddly, I got the car aligned on Monday and it has not groaned since. I'm sure it will start again soon.

How much to have a dealer fix this?

Kevin

 

I was at Tustin AutoCenter (CA) this afternoon looking around to see if there is some other car (Lexus maybe) that I might want to look into & decided to stop by the Acura dealership just for kicks...

My first question was about the powertrain warranty to maybe try to get that annoying everlasting "groaning" fixed when I'm sometimes engaging the clutch, and was told by the service dept that it "might" be covered under warranty but the problem is that i would have to pay a $500 deposit and authorize them in writing to remove & completely tear down the tranny. then they would inspect the parts & if the problem is deemed a manufacturer defect, they would pay for it...otherwise i would have to pay more to have the tranny put back together...When I mentioned my a/c problem..he smirked & said "you seem to be having a lot of problems"... what a joke!!!...

I'm beginning to lose all faith in Honda product.....

 

Try a different Acura dealership?

 

I've been to three different dealerships in my area...no the best experiences with any of them...

 

It's not the product. Things like this happen to other brands too like BMW and Lexus. It is the shoddy customer service that Acura and Honda has. It's no different all the way here in Australia. They will never match Lexus if the dealer's service department have that kind of attitude. Instead of doing a mech/tech course to work in the service department, Acura should send them to do a CS/hospitality course instead.

 

I agree...My mom & dad are on their third Lexus & the service is absolutely impeccable... The main difference to me is that Lexus actually admits to & fixes their problems while Acura/Honda know about them but avoid acknowledging them at all costs...

 

Before this thread dies, I did have a couple of quick questions, in case anyone knows.


a) Should this problem be categorized as an annoyance, or be considered something that could lead to more major problems down the road?

b) Does anyone know why the problem should be more prevalent when launching the car while the front wheels are turned? Several other people have confirmed this, and it's definitely not a coincidence in my experience so far. Just looking for some kind of explanation.


Thanks again for everyone's help.
Jeff

 

mrmarbles, I've wondered the same thing about the annoyance/defect issue.

I've been thinking about part b to your question too. I wonder if it has to do with torque angles being pushed thru the transmission case and/or internals. Would love to hear from somebody who really understands.

 

mine is prevalent when launching the car uphill, not turning

 

Would it be possible for someone to scan me a copy of the service manual on the a/c compressor/clutch, etc. system???....

 

Can I ask why you are interested in the a/c compressor? Is there a relationship here? I feel like my problem is worse or more pronounced when my A/C is running. Would there be a reason for that or would knowing that help in the diagnosis?

 

Had the same problem on my 04 TSX. Started showing up at 80K miles and got worse as it approached 100K. My local mechanic (non dealer) said he thought the transmission needed lubrication and asked $450 for the work. There were other problems w/ my car so I traded it in for an Acura TL.