DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

Hi,


I have clunking/ticking noise on my GF base 2002 TL. It's not from the purge control solenoid. It made the noise before and after the valves were adjusted. The noise is there all the time, cold, hot, Drive, Park, Neutral... Car runs perfect and excellent mpg. Anyone had this before?

fsttyms1

Can you give a little more detail? Where about in the engine bay do you hear it? Does the sound increase with RPM? Do you hear it while driving or just sitting still?

DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

It follows the RPM, and I cannot hear it while driving since road noise are higher than that noise, but at idle or at very low speed we can hear... I openned my oil cap and the noise is not louder from that valve cover side but I can hear the sound inside. What I mean is it's louder on the outside. Seems to be higher on the firewall side and on the PS side but hard to tell...

DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

sounds like that car:


www.youtube.com/watch?v=plgeWko78Ns

fsttyms1

That vid sounds like a rod bearing. Is it possible its your tensioner? You could disconnect the belt, start the car and see if the sound is still present.

DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

you mean to remove the PS belt? and test without the belt?

btran

Mine started doing the same thing a couple days ago and it gave out yesterday and engine started over heating. I've been able to fix everything else on my 02 TL thanks to this forum and have it running like new, but the belt tensioner I'm not attempting since I dont really have the time or tools to do something like that. I also want to make sure it's fixed right, so I'm taking it to a mechanic tomorrow. I'll let you know tomorrow what the mechanic said, but most likely we both have the same issue and it's the tensioner.

DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

It makes the same noise as the video link I posted?

btran

Yeah, and I'm at the mechanic right now waiting to see what it is.

01tl4tl

the ac belt/alternator belt tensioner- located at top of engine, will make a really bad noise as it reaches the end of its lifespan = COMMON PROBLEM
grinding and groaning....a mechanics stethoscope will pick it up instantly.
Observe action of tensioner on belt when you rev engine- hood open

not a big deal to replace- thru the passenger side fender liner to reach the bottom bolt
Expect 1 to 1.5 hours labor charge and ~75-100$ for the complete tensioner= spring arm and roller unit- Replace as a complete unit.

Hope that fixes you up!

01tl4tl

the ps belt tensioner is a different type, you have to manually go in and tighten or loosen it.
Note the ps belt is set to run looser than you would think, or ps pump gets burnt out very quickly!! Watch for that when doing the water pump job = all the belts come off

DomGSR-T

iTrader: (1)

My noise is not a grinding and groaning noise, really the same ticking/clunking noise as the video

btran

Ok...So, yes it was my tensioner that needs to be replaced. The reason for mine over heating is because there was no coolant in there. The spring in the radiator was broke and not getting a good seal, and a hose had a crack. It must have just happened because I've never had an issue with it over heating.

fsttyms1

WHich is a common noise for the tensioner when its going bad. Simply take off the serp belt and start the car and see if the sound is still present. It will take you all of 5 min to do to know/rule out if or if its not the issue.

01tl4tl

this is why I don't watch any videos- just ck the normal wear parts first!
takes less time~

If you had a mechanics stethoscope you would have heard grinding and groaning inside the tensioner bearing!

01tl4tl

after new rad cap and replace leaking hose- be sure to follow the owner book method of coolant system burping- It takes some idle speed till fan cycles, a few rpm holds at 2000 till fan cycles, and the heater must be on full hot and cabin fan on full speed- OPEN the car doors to vent the heat! there is more- read the book
need a free download? Acura Owners Site | Exclusive Knowledge, Service, & Benefits have cars VIN handy

smcafee

I've had the air in the cooling system issue. If I recall correctly, you don't need to have the HVAC fan on, just the temp set to maximum. This allows coolant to flow through the hearer core and heater hoses. For auto temp systems, the fan can be set to it's lowest setting.