Hi all.

My ‘08 TL with 126k started making a rattly noise and I’m starting to get concerned. We’ve had it for about 6 months and bought it from someone who seemed like a fanatic. Lots of service records, including timing belt, tensioner, water pump this past January - about 10k mikes ago. Car has seemed a little sluggish of late and it seems to take about a second longer to start in the morning. Especially when cold ( although that seems kinda normal ). I’m going to try and upload a video - hopefully someone can listen and help me pinpoint the issue. It’s always scary when you bring your car to a mechanic and say, “ it’s making a weird noise”...

thanks in advance.

 

 

That just seems ...external, like a heat shield. It seems loudest underneath - by the exhaust, and by the exhaust manifold. Especially where the sound is not consistent... hoping it's a heat shield, not some timing belt pulley or valve or something else internal!!!

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jay

 

More about noise. You say it's a rattling. You need to be more descriptive. Only happens when engine cold and goes away when at normal operating temp. Sounds to me like the drive belt pulls and or tentioner. If only happens when cold then to tentioner and or rollers. Just because it was serviced doesn't mean crap. Parts used could be failing. Who did the work.

 

Hi; yeah - just got the videos up. Let me know if you don't seem them; they're YouTubes. My last Reply talks about location - and the videos definitely give you a sense of where it's loudest.

It seems, once it's warmed up and running that (at times) the sound almost goes away - or does. It's weird.

 

Try to eliminate some items by removing the drive belt. Does the sound go away?

Sounds like a loose pulley to me. Maybe a bad timing belt tensioner? Did they replace the tensioner when they replaced the TB? Bad water pump?

I would say that it doesn't sound like a loose heat shield.

Edit: I see your OP does mention the tensioner being replaced. Still, it could have gone bad, dunno.

 

Thanks. It's been a while since I considered running an engine without drive belt... What's the consideration - not running alt/generator? Thanks again.

 

By running it without the serpentine belt illuminate the sound coming from the tensioner and/or the pulleys which I run of the bellt which would be the alternator and the AC compressor also as well power steering pump. I wouldn't want to long without that belt present. As you will not be able to charge your battery. Also your power steering will not work. And your AC will be in operative. However you can start the car without the belt and if it doesn't make any of those Sounds then you have illuminated and or isolated the problem. Once you isolate the problem you'll be able to go on with the repair. Also if that sound that it's making goes away when it is warm then my suggestion is you have your TB tensioner checked.

 

Idling the engine with the drive belt removed won't hurt a thing....

 

That sounded just like my timing belt tensioner. Does it go away/ get better when warm?

 

I believe it does go away when warm. But, the timing belt and tensioner, with water pump were all replaced 9 months ago. It’s possible the tensioner failed but ...was just replaced.

 

I wouldn't drive it until you can rule out a tensioner issue or anything related to the TB. If the TB goes, say hello to a minimum of $2K to get the engine fixed.

Who did the TB change? Was there any kind of warranty on it? If so, does the warranty transfer to a new owner? Your best bet may be to take it to the shop that did the TB change. If they won't honor a warranty, maybe they'll cut you a reduced rate to put in another belt and tensioner.....

 

With a noise that loud, you should see the timing belt flopping or vibrating when it's loose. Take the front timing cover off just at the top and pull it back just enough to have a peek inside at what the belt is doing. Look towards the rear where the left and right cams have the belt both going down.

 

Thank you. Do you, or anyone else, have a link - with pictures (ideally) - to going in and working on the Timing Belt and tensioner? I read one, but, it was with the expectation that I'd be replacing the belt, tensioner and water pump. (First step was to drain the coolant/radiator).

Jay

 

There tons on Youtube with different perspectives.

 

I saw a video where one guy went through the passenger wheel well of an Odyssey and took off as many rear timing cover bolts and snuck out just the tensioner. He then bent the release pin so he could get it back in and pulled it to tension. Not sure how hard that would be for you.

 

The sound I'm hearing sounds more pronounced than what I had experienced with my 07 TL. I would get a slight rattling noise on cold starts, which would then disappear once car was warmed up and moving. However, it was never as pronounced as yours. Once I had the 105k service completed, the sound went away and never returned. Seeing as you've mentioned the previous owner had records of service, I would see what the invoices say as to what maintenance was done, and then compare that to what the 105k service entails. More than likely, its going to be an idler pulley or your serpentine belt..(just my .02 cents from previous research). In any case, I would hesitate to drive the vehicle until you at least know what the sound is.

I know you said tensioner and timing belt have been done previously, however, try and see where the work was performed and how long ago. The shop may have installed it incorrectly or just not to spec, you may be able to negotiate a repair under warranty or something. Good luck!

 

I have seen numerous times where this and that was completed, to find out later it wasn't. Mechanics are shady. That's why I only go to places that allow me to have an eye on my car at all times. And i completely stopped letting them test drive it, I have yet to meet one that could drive it properly. They sit in the passenger seat only.

 

Thanks all!!!! I had the car towed to an Acura specialist - it may just be a valve making all the racket, especially since it looks like someone did work under the valve cover; it's all clean with brand new bolts... At this point, I'm going to let someone far more qualified than me diagnose this the right way :-).

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

If it was valves, only a loose intake valve would make a noise and you would hear that noise at the valve cover/s....

 

we shall see. I know it's not the drive belt tensioner. Belt runs/rides smooth. I will update this thread when I find out the source of the issue - from the mechanic :-)

 

It was the timing belt tensioner.

Thanks everyone for your help. Happy Holidays!

Jay