My 2002 Acura TL's always been making noises but no lights ever came on. Figured I'd post some videos here because they were more noticeable today and get your guys' opinion.

Never posted any videos or pictures here before so not sure how it'll show up, but the faster popping noise is my exhaust and the other two videos are from my engine (which just had the valves readjusted).

Thanks

 

Video 1 & 2 sound like the timing belt tensioner,

From my experience, so please take with a grain of salt...the symptoms in the last video (an occasional puff in the firing sequence at idle) is probably combination of worn ignition components (plugs or coils).

 

Well that's good to hear that it doesn't sound like rod knock to someone with experience. In addition to my motor mounts being worn, would you say it's still safe to drive regularly?

 

Do you know when the timing belt was last replaced?

I can't recommend to drive it regularly; though it's not rod knock (will need need a new engine) the timing belt tensioner failing could cause the timing belt to fail; resulting in the same outcome; need a new engine.

Timing belt replacement is labor intensive and often ignored until it becomes a very serious issue; I don't recommend ignoring it.

 

I replaced it only a couple months ago and put maybe a thousand miles on it along with my water pump which I got at the same time. Figured I'd get it done when my main crank seal gave out.

(I'm not the sharpest guy, so when you said "though its not rod knock (will need a new engine)" you were referring to the fact that if it's rod knock I would need a new engine, and not, "though its not rod knock, you need a new engine". Right?)