240sxer

After I start my car, engine rolls over, all's great then after 2 seconds I hear loud grinding noise from under the hood that lasts for a second.. Usually this happens over night or when the car's been parked for a while, regardless if its hot outside or cold.

Has anyone had this issue before?

bastircar

try to switch off all your consumers like A/C, sound and anything else; the A/C divice doesn't work at -3 celsius degrees and probably the car tries to tie.

CU2MIKE

never had that problem.

240sxer

It hasnt been -3 in months here..

bwan24

I've noticed the same noise as well. It doesn't happen all the time. Only once every few days or weeks even. No idea what it is. Dealer wasn't sure either, but if it becomes consistent, I will take it in to get looked at.

nyydynasty

i have the same issue (6 spd manual). I took it into the dealer and they couldn't locate the problem, so I just deal with it.

Side1021

Anybody have any updates on this? I'm having the same issue. I drive a 09' 6MT.

hohos

I've had this happen on my 2009 Auto recently. I think my car was parked in a garage for about a week.

islandbeef

Check out this board thread, someone found out it was the water pump (bad bearings).

http://bit.ly/ovUMZi

Hope this helps.

Endika

if its a rattle at cold start up there is a TSB for it.

Side1021

Thanks! I found the TSB. I'm going to bring the car in to get it fixed. Hope there is no engine damages =)

mtdew456

I have had mine at the dealer for this issue 3 times and they have yet to be able to "repeat" the issue. The car has sat over night each time I have had it up there, but does not make the grinding noise for the dealer. I was told that they can't preform the TSB until they actually hear the noise for themselves when starting the car at the dealership.

BlackTSX6MT

Did anyone have this TSB performed on their vehicle yet? This noise is really annoying!

leftyskikass555

There's a TSB out for it. I'm a tech at Acura of Reno, and we see if fairly often (maybe 1 or 2 a month). The VTC actuator on the intake cam drains all the oil after sitting over night, or in really cold situations. The colder it gets, the longer it takes for oil to reach the top end, especially the actuator. It controls the positive/ negative cam phasing on cold start up. That's why the K24 doesn't have any emissions components (besides 2 cat converters). I think the VTC actuator replacement takes about 3 hours. All of the ones we've replaced haven't come back with the problem anymore

leftyskikass555

It's becoming more of a problem as the weather get's colder. It doesn't necessarily hurt anything, but over a long period of time it can lock the actuator one way or another. You'll have the intake side running either + or - 20 degrees of cam timing. She'll be hard to drive at that point! If you have that problem, take it to the dealer.

mtdew456

My dealer keeps telling me that they have to hear the problem when the car starts. Until they can replicate the problem they will not preform the TSB. Any advice on how to get my dealer to preform the TSB before the noise really becomes a major issue?

BlackTSX6MT

Based on the TSB 10-024, VTC actuator is defective. However, TSB procedure tells to replace the VTC actuator that has the same part number as the defective one
(P/N 14310-R40-A01). If the VTC actuator is defective, wouldn't there be a new VTC actuator? If I get this replaced, I'm afraid it's going to cause the same problem in the future! Thanks

katmai

I had that issue for over a year and the TSB DID fix it. The real problem is getting the dealer to duplicate it since the sound isn't consistent. I had left my car at the dealer 3 different times over that time and finally this last time they got it to make the sound.

ecko508

Same issue for me as well. I left my car at the dealer for 2 days of course the temp didnt hit below 40 degrees and then today temp was 18 degrees with a windchill of -1 and i went outside to start my car after the patriots game and it did it. Dealer wouldnt fix it unless they heard the problem so i guess when it gets really cold out again im bringing it in because i want it fixed before my warranty expires!

26Shaun

I had the same issue about a year ago. Replacing the VTC actuator fixed the problem. If you're not under warranty, it's about a $500 repair.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

I have the same issue on a 2011 auto
happens once in a while

Hopefully i'll get the delaer to fix it since you guys have dont the research and provided a Tsb

speedracer_2020

It's the VTEC actuator. Had the issue and took it in several times. They couldn't replicate it, so I actually just video taped it and caught it on the first go. Brought it in, and they were able to confirm it was the VTEC actuator from the sound which gave them the go ahead to fix it. It's perfect now.

mtdew456

I have had my car at the dealership several times for this issue but they have been unable to replicate the noise. I tried showing them a video I took after the first time the car was in but I was told that the tech had to hear it for themselves when the car is at the dealership. Anyone think that a call to Acura Customer Care will help me out in this situation? I am tired of hearing this noise when I start my car in the morning in my garage (my garage is no colder than 50 degrees by the way).

Grigio09

iTrader: (1)

VTC actuator

I had the replace before my warranty is up. One acura dealership bullshitted me.. Other one new the issue and replaced it. Make sure if your in the chicago land area go to Acura of Westmont.

ji0005

Interesting.. I had mine there in July and they kept it for 3 days but could not replicate. It obviously seems to happen more in the cold, so I am taking it back tomorrow. Hopefully they can get me fixed up. My warranty is up, but it was there in July BEFORE my warranty was up, so hopefully they dont try and screw me.

katmai

I had the issue last year and I had to leave my car at the dealer for a week 3 different times before they could reproduce it. It only makes the sound when its cold out or cool and humid. I had the VTC tsb done and that seemed to fix it, but this year it still does it, although not quite as often. I've kinda given up on it as now it'll prolly be even more difficult to reproduce it at the dealer.

i_MOB

This is good to know, lucky for me I'm a mechanic. But still good information.

waaasobe

just started hearing this on my car and my warranty is up fml x2

JordanTSX

Not to stir up an old thread but I figured I'd post in here instead of making my own thread regarding the same issue.

I have a few questions because I'm experiencing an issue that seems really similar to this.

Has anyone had an issue with there starter that was causing a symptom very close to the sound of the VTC actuator TSB? Personally when I listen to it, it reminds me more of a starter bendix or solenoid issue. It sounds as if after starting the car, it's gummy and isn't retracting and the noise is the sound of the starter spinning wildly with its non-precision gear.

Follow up - if my problem is indeed the VTC actuator issue, what is the seriousness of this problem? It's hard for me to make time to get the car into a dealer during the week working full time and being under 25 I'm unsure whether or not I'd be able to get a loaner car or anything like that to use for going to work while the car is there. Something I'm just apprehensive about since leaving my car at the shop is a huge pain, paying the diagnostic fee is a huge pain, and the last thing I want to do is pay for a loaner and diagnostic fee just to have them say they're unable to duplicate the issue..

PyroDave

are there are any other dealers in your area? there is 1 in my area who wants a diagnostic fee, the other 3-4 dont. and 2 will give me a loaner no questions asked. i've been getting loaners since i was 17 lmao. 1 of the dealers requires you to be over 21, so i never went there either

ceb

If the car is under warranty you should never pay a diagnostic fee.

Call the dealer to see if there are any issues with getting a loaner because of your age.

gonzo08452

ABS self-check? Usually occurs right after initial start-up after sitting for hours or overnight and lasts for about a second. If so, then normal. Some are loud and some barely noticable. Its also on the FAQ section of the Acura Owners website.

BlackTSX6MT

I got the VTC actuator replaced twice. First time, it seemed to solve the problem but after about a year, the sound came back. Second time, I got the VTC actuator replaced while getting the piston and rings replaced due to oil consumption issue. The noise hasn't came back since but it's only been few months and it only makes the sound when it's cold and humid. With so many problems with my car, I'm definitely staying away from Acura from now on.

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

my 10 is doing this and its not covered by the TSB....vin 288889

HHCZ

I have exactly the same issue, Accord 2.4 Euro AT.
Started a few months after I ran out of the warranty

Question: can I drive the car without problem, or must I fix it? For example my car was also suffered fron the pinging noise which I fixed, but that had no effect to the car except the sound and was not mandatory to fix it.

iCrap

holly thread revival. anyways the problem your car is probably having is a bad VTC actuator. There is a TSB for it... i got my dealer to replace it for free even past warranty.

cdbmo

I've been having this sound coming from my '10 TSX (just outside of the VIN range for the TSB), with the dealer never being able to reproduce it. However, I had always been able to reproduce it by leaving the car sitting in the garage for more than 24 hours when the temps were below 50 degrees F.

In fact, while I was trying to video the problem so I could show the dealer during an upcoming service visit, the car wouldn't start. Turns out the battery had failed. Dealer replaced the battery under warranty.

Since then, I've haven't heard the issue at all!

Both the dealer and I, in conversation prior to the battery failing about the noise, had determined it was not the starter, so I don't think that is part of the equation. The sound just didn't appear to come from the starter, especially since the sound would only occur AFTER I let off the key.

So - my theory is that over the past few months, due to a failing battery, the starter wasn't turning over the engine fast enough to generate adequate oil pressure, thus starving the VTC actuator of oil for a few seconds.

That being said - I fully predict that the problem will return to my car at some point. Not having lubrication on the VTC actuator over many starts has got to have put additional wear on the part.

Just a theory, could be totally wrong. :-)

iCrap

^^ Sounds right to me. My dealer replaced both my battery and VTC actuator and i have not heard the noise since then.

HHCZ

Guys, I sometimes hear a strange "moaning" noise from the engine area when I am accelerating from standig stop on a very light throttle. It is around 1500 rpm, light throttle, only sometimes of course. It is kind of similar of this VTC noise at startup. Do you think it is related? Do your cars this noise with faulty VTC too?

BlackTSX6MT

I had VTC actuator replaced twice and every time, the noise seemed to dissappear. However, I recently started to hear the grinding noise again! Any suggestions????