I'm going to replace timing chain, tensioner, valve cover gasket, crank case seal, and crank case gasket(small one). What else should i be considering at this point? my car has 180k on it and want to give it some tlc.

 

Are you going to do this work yourself or have a mecanic do it for you?

 

How are the brake pads, rotors, calipers holding up?

My TSX is about 98% stock, I have A-spec suspension and stainless steel brake lines, I would recommend the brake lines if you have not. Not for performance reasons, just for durability.

 

i would recomend NOT doing the chain. valve cover seal- yes
water pump absolutly

 

I'm going to do the work myself. pads etc ive kept up on. I will definitely take a look at the lines.
Ive been having some idle issues and vsa and ! lights coming on. The first start of day sounds pretty rough with my acura, i just assumed it must be the timing chain getting loose. I replaced the app sensor only to have it run well for a couple days and now my car is idling like crap and has occasional vsa, engine light, and ! light. The lights have all went off now, but the idle is still crap w/o a/c running. dropping down to 500-750 rpm and bouncing between.

 

I wouldn't assume anything. I would have the codes scanned, then post on here. Most parts stores do this as a free service. Just get the actual code, it will start with the letter P and have 4 numbers, like P1234.

 

I agree with this plan. If the car is noisy at startup, it could just be a valve adjustment (per the maintenance schedule, it should been done at 110K miles by the way)(if it wasn't), the AC compressor (can sound like loose valves, especially if it's NOT on), the water pump, or even the belt tensioner can get noisy I think. I'm not a fan of randomly replacing parts until a problem goes away. I doubt there's any harm in replacing the timing chain, but my point is that it may not solve your startup problems. A scan may tell you why you're getting the lights (though remember that the CEL is strictly for emissions related problems and can be tripped by something as minor as a loose/bad gas cap). And..... though I hate to do the broken record thing, the 04's seem to have more problems with some of the idiot lights than others.

 

I have a 06 TSX with 173k miles on it. I recently started hearing a rattling noise under the hood and thought it might be due to the drive belt being stretched out and had that replaced along with the tensioner. However, the noise is still there! It only happens when the car is in gear and is stationary. I don't have any warning lights that have come up other than occasional check engine light that goes away after a few days. No VSA lights etc.

I've had a couple people try and diagnose the problem. They put this stetescope like thing to hear where exactly the noise is coming from and it seems like the engine. Is it from the timing belt being loose? Is it something I should replace (atleast 1k to do work in NJ)? Or can I just ignore it?

 

We have a timing chain instead of a timing belt, which should last the life of the engine. Sounds like you need a valve adjustment, and maybe check the chain for adjustment as well.

 

Yeah, the timing chain really doesn't need replacing UNLESS you haven't kept up with the oil changes. Since the VTEC system also runs on engine oil, oil gets worn quite quickly, and the VTEC system (timing chain, gears, guides, etc) get worn quickly if running long on old oil.

I just had to get my VTEC system replaced for a bunch of money since the previous owner didn't take care of the car much, the VTEC gears were definitely rounded. Let me know how much you end up spending to do it yourself if you're going to go through with it.

 

mshariff28:

Does the noise go away when you are stationary and in gear and then switch automatic transmission to neutral?

Is so, the problem is probably your motor mounts. They are worn and you are just hearing vibrations when car is stopped and in gear. That is my belief. What do others think?

 

haven been on for a while but great to hear some new members on here talking sense, i have 250k on my 2.4 6speed and the chain etc is like new not a milimeter of play, 5 to a max of 7.5k oil changes with quality oil and the chain will never give you an ounce of trouble honda say its for the life of the car.

 

I replaced the timing chain at my house. The old chain was stretched badly. The project took 2 days instead of one, but the service manual has never failed.
I bought the service manual when I got the car years, and have a nice obdll scanner. This car presented all the symptoms and codes pointing towards the route I took.
Haha, so my next problem is my a/c unit is now starting to sound like it has something rubbing inside of it. I really wonder if the 04 tsx's that first came off the lines were lemons?
The car is running like new! I was very lucky that the chain didn't slip.
This site has been resourceful, although, some threads do get drown out by pointless posts.

 

So I took the car to the dealer and they said indeed the timing chain and tensioner would need to be replaced. They gave me a loaner and held the car there for a few days. I got the car back...and the noise is still there!! The service manager was completely baffled. I took the car back to the dealer and they're trying to figure out the problem once again. Stuck with a 2010 tech package TSX..not so bad.

Price for the timing chain and replacing the catalytic converter = $2000 he cut me a $380 break..He said he'll fix whatever is wrong with the car at no charge..let's see..

 

The RPM bouncing can be due to dirty throttle body. Had it done 3 time already.

 

Problem now fixed. Props to Acura of Turnersville NJ! They found out that the Chain in the oil pan was broken and therefore they replaced the Chain and the Tensioner.

Part#'s
13441-PCX-004
13450-RAA-A02

Car runs like new now! Many have said that there is no need to change the timing chain. That might be true but having done so, I can say that it does make a difference in how your car sounds and runs.

However, if your car is making a rattling noise make sure you get the above mentioned parts checked out b4 doing any work with the Timing Chain.

 

Chain in the oil pan? Am I the only one that's confused?

 

Well can someone please explain about the chain in the oil pan. I don't know about that part and if it exist

 

Is this the oil pump chain #4? It is on a crank sprocket and goes to the oil pump.

 

It appears that it was the oil pump chain (#4, the part number I have is slightly different, 13441-PNA-004) and the oil pump chain tensioner (#5, and the part number shown in the above post is correct) that were changed.

 

Was your rattle more like a dull plastic sound or was it of a metallic nature?

 

The car is doing fine, and my a/c unit hasn't took a dump yet. If you can almost remove the timing chain from gear with valve cover off. You might have a loose timing chain. I'm no mechanic, but the new chain surely had no play in it at all.