Hi guys- It's been a while since I've been on here. I've owned my 2005 RL since '11 and it has been good to me but it has all the lovely issues commonly associated with the model year: driveshaft whine, door handle rust, AFS, battery drain from HFL, etc.

I started it up today and got this lovely noise coming from the engine. It definitely does not sound good.

 

Thought of a stethoscope??

 

Cooling fan rubbing on something??

 

I don't have a stethoscope in my arsenal but that's a good idea. I'm waiting for someone to come by to look at it tomorrow, so I only let it run for those few seconds. The fans look clear as far as I can tell. The noise sounds metal to me but it is very loud. I need to remove the engine cover to get a better angle.I don't think it's the timing belt related as the car still drives but the mileage is in that recommended service internal spot at 107k or so. The car has very low miles given the year which makes this even more surprising.

 

hard to tell, but sounds kind a in the middle of these two:
1.Timing belt tensioner
2.Camshaft lobe damage

When the last time was timing belt replaced and was the OEM tensioner used?

 

Thanks for the reply. The timing belt has not been replaced yet.

 

I think the timing belt tensioner has a higher pitched sound but it's best to remove the timing belt cover to check. Also check the drive belt tensioner if you haven't already.

 

i guess you just answered your question to your problem.

 

my guess going to the cheapest repair first would be the belt tensioner take a look at it and see if the ticking sounds goes with the belt tensioner bounce had a similar issue like that to know for sure remove the belt and run the engine and see if the sounds goes away, you will get warning lights while doing this but should go away.

 

Hoping to get things confirmed tomorrow. Another person said it could be the idler pulley bearing but I agree that it’s likely the tensioner.

Hopefully it’s minor so I can get back on the road again soon but not before I do the 105k maintenance.

 

It the belt tensioner.

 

I actually logged on today to update the thread. My mechanic has been swamped but finally was able to fully diagnose the car and he said it needs a harmonic balancer. He quoted me $290 with labor. Definitely won't be OEM but I'm just glad to get it back at this point.

 

Harmonic balancers hate being pulled off the nose of the crank for a belt change and usually fail shortly thereafter.

If you intend to keep the car, change the belt, tensioner and water pump as well. 107K sounds like a lot of miles for one timing belt in any case.

 

Harmonic balancers pulled for a belt change on the RL???

 

Yeah...I don't understand why he didn't just do the timing belt along with it since he already had access to everything and already charged me the labor. He had it there 2 weeks which was unacceptable but I can only imagine how long the timing belt would have taken.

This is what the balancer looked like once he pulled it out.



I plan on doing the timing belt soon but I think I should get a quote from Acura as they'll be a lot faster and all OEM parts.

 

You'll be looking at around $2000 for timing belt change at Acura. An Acura/Honda specialist shop quoted me $1800 for timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and associated seals.

Here is what a drive belt tensioner rattle sounds like.

 

My local Acura dealer is offering a $999.95 timing belt/water pump/tensioner special through August 31, 2021.

One thing that I would suggest, given that most of the labor is already in, I would also replace the spark plugs AND adjust the valves. Do it this once and never have to worry about it again.