I have a 2003 tl type S. All stock. Have had for about a month. I notice when car is idleing it has a tapping noise coming from Engine bay. It sounds like valves tapping. When I rev the engine it goes away for less than a minute and starts again. I first thought about my oil level but that checked out fine. The car has 78,000 miles. I dont know what service has been performed to date. Car drives great and no other issues noticed. Any thoughts? I am about to bring it to the Acura Dealer to have it checked out. I dont want to have a serious problem occur as a result. Thanks.

 

Engine knock could be from using a lower octane rating, while the valves would make more of a ticking noise.

It's probably your valves, and only loose valves tick. However, tight valves can damage the engine. We use an interference engine, so if your valves get too far out of spec, you can hit some exhaust valves. NOT a cheap fix.

 

"Ticking" is a better word for the noise than "tapping". I have used only premium octane fuel. I am thinking its valve noise. What exactly would have to be done to correct that noise or does it just vary?

 

Yea if ticking better describes the noise, it's most probably your valves. You just need to do a valve adjustment. This can be expensive though. My Acura dealership charges $600 while the Honda dealership next door charges $400. There's a DIY, but I wouldn't try it if your inexperienced.

It definitely looks like an experience to learn from though, so I plan to do mine myself when I learn a little bit more.

 

My stock 99tl has ticked for over eight years and gets worse in the cold or if the oil gets low. Interestingly, if I fill the oil right up to maximum, the ticking is greatly reduced and when the engine is warm, goes away completely.

I did once take it to the stealership and they said it was a known but not harmful problem with fuel injectors.

I'm not convinced of that due to the oil quantity affecting the noise level.

 

Thanks for the info! I am the type to have things done and done right. I am going to have it checked out to be safe. I will let you know what I find out.

 

while reading thru other threads I noticed members talking about a similar sound being caused by EVAP purge solenoid. Maybe this is the noise I am hearing and not the valves. It seems a little early for my valves to be causing the noise with only 78,000 miles. I will have to pop the hood and pin point noise location.

 

Oh that's easy. If the ticking is coming from the engine, it's not your purge valve solenoid. That part is in the upper right hand corner, if your looking at your car from the front. To be more clear, it's in the corner closest to the driver.

Here's a thread about it:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/ticking-noise-6-speed-483821/

$40 fix

 

thats more likely than needing a valve adjust before 100kmiles

its a good plan to do the valve adjust with the 105 service- or now with the egr port cleaning of intake manifold,,we need egr cleaning every 75kmiles (not on any service list)

acura will overcharge to diagnose this one
buy a mechanics stethascope at harbor freight tools $5, or any parts store $10

if its the cannister its only a bother,, not a driving problem

since you are new owner-get rid of crud left behind by last owners
Buy 2 cans of seafoam at parts store, under 10 bucks each
add 1 can to half tank of gas--run it down and run a half tank of plain 91 octane thru.
then add 2nd can to another half tank fuel

thats just cleaned the injectors and everything from the tank to exhaust-without harm to any parts

you are near the point many of us replace the spark plugs on G.P. ~70kmiles
cost 50=60 parts 1 1.5 hour labor
find a local private owner honda repair shop- not dealer shops, get pricing and a feel for the shop and employees

 

register with acura as a new owner- 1 800 382 2238 x5 gets a human
have cars VIN in hand
Ask if all recalls are completed- never know when a new one is out --unless they have your address!!!!