Hey everyone, im posting on here in hopes of someone being able to help me out. I have a 2005 TSX 6-Speed with 41,000 miles on it. When my car is at idle with the A/C unit off, the car is smooth, with no vibrations; however when im at idle and I turn on the A/C i get vibrations throughout the entire car. When the car is being accelerated, there is no vibrations. I understand that with the A/C on there is more load on the engine, but its such a rough idle that even the hood starts to make a vibrating sound from the outside. I took the car to the dealership and left it with them for almost a month. They replaced the spark plugs, all the engine mounts, and even the A/C compressor. Finally the dealership contacted Acura Help Line who told the technician to run a compression test to check for bent valves...the compression test came back perfect, next Acura Help Line told the tech to check for an over-rev code...there were none, finall Acura told the tech to blow 90psi's of air into each valve to check for leaks. The service advisor claims that there is a leakage in the valves which is causing my rough idle...It may or may not be covered under warranty, and the dealership wants me to authorize $1200 to drop the valve heads from the motor and check for damaged valves, valve stems, or whatever else may be damaged. The $1200 is if the tech finds damage to the valves + whatever the repair costs are. If the tech finds that there is no damage to the valves, i won't have to pay the $1200. My question to you all is, if there is no over-rev code, the compression test came back fine, what are the chances of there being valve damage, also can valve damage cause a rough idle as mentioned above? If not, what else could be the reason why im getting a rough idle with the A/C on...Please Help!

 

Personally I would tell the service advisor that the car is under warranty and there is no proof of negligence on your part which could cause any damage what so ever. In my opinion there is no reason for you to authorize payment of any money. Unless, of course, you had the case opened and tried to do a valve adjustment on your own or something.


PS. Make sure to check for simple things like a dirty or clogged air filter; moving to a clean one or even a k&n can cause an improvement in idle with load on the engine.

 

If the dealership is questioning if checking the valves would be covered under warranty, then they should ask Acura/Honda before they start the work.

 

I don't see why this would not be covered under warranty. if it is not, what use is the warranty?

 

ooh sorry, just to clarify...the tech is also trying to say that there was a mis-shift...like instead of going from 6th to 5th, he's thinking that i went from 6th to 3rd, causing the car to redline, which could ultimately cause valve damage, but any indications of this type of valve damage, to my knowledge would show up on a compression test...

 

My 04 is idleing rough even with no AC and noticed that it ticks (valve noise). Sounds like a crapo Civic and not the upscale sporto car it should be. I am bringing it in for 35000 maint.

Will let you know what they say.

 

But if you went from 6th to 3rd then wouldn't that show up as an over-rev code? and they already checked for that.

 

I had a problem with my A/C causing excessive vibration after I got my new transmission installed. I asked them to check all the mountings and then it was fine. I know you already had those replaced, but maybe check to make sure they're all right?

 

What's the engine rpm when AC is on?

 

I'm not overly familiar with the DBW system, but in my civic when this same thing started happening I just adjusted the idle valve on the throttle body to let a little bit more air in and it ran fine.

My guess would be that the engine just isn't getting enough air at idle to handle the extra load of the ac compressor.

edit:

on another note, how could the valves be damaged if there are no over rev codes. that is pretty much saying that the valves were damaged during normal rev limits of the motor. if that is true then the motor is a piece or you received defective valves.

 

JTso the rev with the A/C compressor on, is at about 750rmps any insight?

 

Not yet. Just establishing some info that the rpm is normal with AC on and the vibration is not rpm related unlike most AT owners. Do you remember when you first noticed the vibration? Did it just happen one day or it got increasingly worse over time? Any oil consumption? What brand/grade of gas do you normally put in the tank?

 

I actually noticed the vibration start about 2 months ago, im not too sure if it may have occured after i got a new clutch installed, but to be completely honest...i remember the vibrations even before the new clutch job, so can't attribute the vibrations to the new clutch job...the vibrations have stayed pretty consistent over time and haven't really gotten worse...All oil changes, and scheduled maint. done on time. I've used Full Synthetic Oil in the car since the first oil change...Oil consumption is normal...I've always used 93 octane fuel in the car, with the exception of one time, when i ran out of gas and a acura roadside contracted company brought out 87 octane fuel...please help!

 

JTso any insight...please help! any more feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

Has the dealer done a datalog with the HDS tool to capture the events? If not, that would be something to consider. Since the problem is consistent, the datalog should show up any abnormality when switching on AC.

 

my car is doing the exact same thing. I also had my clutch replaced like 10K miles ago, and the shaking at idle only really occurs when it's overly hot outside. The car feels like an old buick at stop lights with the hard shaking.....

has anyone found a resolution to this problem?

Car History:
clutch replaced
A/C compressor/clutch system replaced
CT icebox
Hondata reflash

Thanks-