My 2014 RDX has about 98,000 miles on it. Last week, the car started sounding really loud at highway speeds. I thought perhaps spark plugs or ignition coils.
Yesterday, I got notification that I need A14 service. It changed to A1 briefly and then went back to A14.

I am checking around for A14 and the prices are around $1500 with dealers. They include water pump, tensioner along with A14.

Is the noise primarily due to Spark plugs or valves? Are there any symptoms for needing timing belt other than hitting 105K or getting the A4 code?

I read on the forum that some take their Acura to Honda dealers for service and get better prices. I had never done that. Is this really possible?

Thanks.

 

hello! I'll try to answer some questions to the best of my ability.

the timing belt and water pump job or more commonly known as the 105k service can range from $400-1500.
the J-series V6 engine has been in production since 1996 and comes in variety of flavors and can be found in Honda variants. so, yes a Honda dealership can work on the timing belt of your car! Honda dealerships also charge the least!

usually there are NO SYMPTOMS of needing a timing belt change!
however, spark plugs can go bad before the 105k mile service and can cause a rough idle/rough ride.
sometimes, in past J-series engines, the spark plugs can eject from their soft aluminium block. if you hear like a consistent popping noise like air escaping, bap-bap-bap, i'd park the car and at least check to see if the spark plugs are tight.

if the noise is more of a clicking or a tapping noise, that indicates valves and they might need to be re-adjusted

 

^^^^+1 Well said justn

 

Thanks for the reply.
There are no pinging, tapping, air escaping noises.
It is just constant louder noise than before.
I will check the Honda dealers.

 

Very very very unlikely that failing spark plugs or coil can cause noticeable extra noise...

What kind of noise was it?

 

Not failing, about to come out from the threads... Will hear exhaust leak.
members have reported hearing strange noise just before #5 plug blows through and hits top of hood

 

Gotcha...and thats nuts...

 

It is as if regular engine noise has been turned up several notches. I lifted the hood and noise is normal. I start noticing it increase as I hit 40 mph. It is really loud around 65 mph. Loud enough that I thought about getting ear plugs before I saw the A14 notification.

I was thinking Spark Plugs and Ignition coils because I had a VW Touareg that sounded noisy but it was more of knocking kind of sound that needed new coils to fix.

I am thinking of getting Spark Plugs replaced at a Honda Dealer. Acura dealer quoted $398 for plugs. I looked at the manual and the only detail it gives is part numbers for Denso and NDK and nothing more.

 

Wow that is strange. I will be curious to find out what resolves it. Please keep us updated.

 

Solved. It turns out to be a bad ball bearing on a wheel.

 

Had it before, and it is very loud, and fairly expensive.