jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

My 2004 TL has recently started making 2 different noises that may or may not be related. I have video clips of both noises. (Hopefully you can hear well enough.) I included video clips because when searching the forum, there are tons of threads on various noises that seem similar to mine, but the descriptions just don't help enough to know if it's the same problem or not. (There's even a thread just a couple below this one that seems awfully similar to Noise #2 below.)

Noise #1 - My 98 Honda Accord V6 used to make this same noise!

A couple months ago I notice my TL started making a noise that was very familiar to me because my 98 Honda Accord V6 used to make the exact same noise. I have also heard other Hondas/Acuras making this noise as well. (A friend of mine with a 2G TL's car makes the same noise.) It sounds like a high pitch rattling and occurs upon acceleration at lower RPMs (in the 2000s). Anyone know what this is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WASDiNcRJg


Noise #2 - Rattling during idle after a cold start

This noise is more recent and just started within the past week or so. I don't know if it is related to Noise #1 above. It seems to only exist when idling after a cold start. It is loud enough to be heard in the cabin with the windows closed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFJfXWVHPJ8

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Check the serpentine belt tensioner lol

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Serpentine belt tensioner for "Noise #1" or "Noise #2"? Or do you think it would be causing both?

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Any other thoughts? I know it's a little hard to hear the noises in these vids, but I'm really hoping someone recognizes noise #1 since my old Accord used to make the exact same noise. It almost sounds like it might just be a loose heat shield that is rattling or something along those lines.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

bump

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Cant hear very well but second one seems like its pinging to loud or its the valves.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Ack.

It's interesting you thing Noise #2 could be pinging or valve chatter. I was thinking that Noise #1 might be either pinging or valve chatter.


I might just take it in to the dealer to get their opinion, but I hoping to have a little direction and knowledge before doing that.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

UPDATE

So I finally took the car in to my favorite Acura dealer to have these 2 noises analyzed. I just got the call and they have figured them both out:

Noise #1: A heat shield that has rusted loose and is rattling. No real reason to replace it unless I really want to get rid of the noise. I'm going to just leave it.

Noise #2: My timing belt tensioner is going bad. Note that this is not the tensioner pulley, which many people replace with the 105k timing belt service, but the actual tensioner itself. Normally the dealer would charge 9 hours labor to replace this, but they are going to do it for just 1 hour labor (plus parts cost) since they are the ones who replaced my timing belt/water pump last year and I had asked them about this noise before they replaced the timing belt, but they had not identified the problem.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

conrats!!!

asbestos

So they decided "oops, it's not a noise nuisance" and then made it right for you. Congratulations!

I've got the #2 noise--it went away when the engine warmed up, right? It seems like the timing belt tensioner would be more easily replaced during the 105k service procedure, where they have to access that area anyways. I might have it replaced then...

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

I get the same whistle noise in #1.

So it's the heat shield?

blktl04

mine makes the same noise as #1.. and its only from 2500 to 3000 then it goes away. wierd that its just a heat shield tho..

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I think that makes sense. It is definitely a lot of exact same labor involved.

The part is in the $100 range, so not too outrageous. You might pre-order it from one of the online vendors or make sure the dealer will price match.

That's what they said. I had always thought it sounded like a loose heat shield, but because it was only in a certain RPM range I thought it might be something more serious. I guess it must be that certain RPM frequencies cause the shield to start vibrating and resonating.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

^
... and yes, in my case noise #2 always went away once the engine warmed up. Forgot to mention that in my post above.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

How much is a new heat shield?

asbestos

Good to know. My *theory* on this is that the auto-tensioner is pneumatic, so lower morning temperatures = less pressure/tension than normal until the tensioner warms up and then exerts sufficient pressure on the timing belt so as to prevent rattling.

Phoned dealer re this today and while he conceded the possibility, he went on and on about utterly unrelated causes (PS whine). Time to bring a video.

Jhumbo, were the dealer's fixes effective?

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Not sure how much the part itself is, but they wanted ~$250 total (labor & parts) to fix it.

I have the old part and it does look like a pneumatic actuator so your theory makes sense. The dealer did one fix -- the auto-tensioner (P/N: 14520-RCA-A01) and so far it seems to have fixed it. I've started up the car a few times in the cold and haven't heard that noise.

Majofo

Glad I could help!

asbestos

Thanks jhumbo. She's at the shop getting the 105k service a little early and the tech agreed about the auto tensioner. He showed me one and how it was leaking fluid. He's now waiting to hear the engine when cold so he can tell to what extent the valves might be contributing to noise #2. Valve adjustment is on the radar. This fix ain't gonna be good for the wallet.

Also he prefers the valves be a little loose so that when they do warm up and expand, they are exactly where they need to be.

More soon.

asbestos

Timing belt auto tensioner replaced, rattle #2 is gone! It was leaking. Now it's a paperweight. (seriously, who has a windy office?) Postponing valve adjustment due to a bonus fix: motor mounts busted with car @ 99k.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Glad my post was helpful to you as well. It's nice when a noise you know isn't normal is taken care of, isn't it?

ebelp

Very interesting thread. I've noticed the EXACT same noise (#2) on my TL-S during cold starts. It goes away after 5-10 minutes when the motor is warmed up. The troubling thing is, my car only has 44k miles. Seems like something like this shouldn't be an issue at this point in the motor's life. My TL is certified, so it's still under warranty.

Just curious, can you tell the tensioner is bad visually? I'm not sure the dealership will simply take my word for it if I can't reproduce the sound in front of a technician...

asbestos

Yes and no. Here is my paperweight:



Around that inner rod is a seal. Some units leak more than others over time. The tech showed me a different tensioner that was leaking some black oil. He said they contain both pressurized liquid and gas, so presumably the gas alone could leak and not leave any signs. My part doesn't look obviously leaky, but ymmv.

Hopefully they will not charge you to go in and take a look at this part--it's a lot of labor to get at the timing belt area. It's totally covered btw, so you can't just pop the bonnet and see these things right off. Good luck.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Yup, that's the same part that was replaced in my car.

ebelp, Your symptoms sound just like mine. Sound would go away after the car warmed up. My dealer asked me to park the car in their lot overnight on a cold night so that they could be sure to hear it. Perhaps you'll need to do the same.

ebelp

My car is at the dealership right now. They couldn't reproduce the sound, so I told them to keep it overnight and then check it again in the morning. It's supposed to snow 8+ inches tonight, so it should be plenty cold enough tomorrow for them to hear the rattling...hehe

ebelp

UPDATE: My dealer just called me and said they diagnosed my rattling issue as a bad idler pulley, so it actually was not the timing belt tensioner.

07DatTLS

I cant message you because I'm a new user but your help would be appreciated.lol

Heres what I said in my message:
Would you mind helping me diagnose this problem? I have read your threads and it seems as so I may have the exact same sound as in your Video #2.

Heres the link to my thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showt...ghlight=rattle

Also, how much did everything cost the Acura dealership to do it? If it helps you, I can record a short clip and send it to your email so you can have a hear of what mine sounds like. I just bought this car and I'm hoping its nothing major.

Thank you,
Dat Trinh

07DatTLS

I also cant accept private messages yet, email me at dmtrinh@iastate.edu if you could. Thanks alot!!!

cjj2d

I have/had both noises.

Noise #2 was the serpentine tensioner, got it replaced for $250. No more noise sound is completley gone.

Noise #1.... I still have the annoying rattling at low rpms (1500-2500). It goes away at RPMs above 2500.

Has anyone found a fix to noise #1???

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I've heard it is due to a loose/rusted heat shield, but don't have exact details on what exact part.

hrod26

I've had noise #2 for a couple weeks. Thought it might be the drive belt tensioner so I took the drive belt off last night; started the engine and noise didn't go away. Tonight I took off all engine covers and used a socket extension as a stethascope...sounds like the noise is coming from timing belt area. I'm guessing this is timing belt tensioner. Bummer b/c I've only got 70k miles....it's a 2005.

Other than being annoying, is there immediate risk of damage if I put the tensioner replacement off? Risk of snapping timing belt?

Note: my noise is consistent (doesn't change with rpm's). Most noticeable at idle. As speed increases, it becomes less noticeable but is still there.

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

Does it go away after the car warms up?

hrod26

Nope...no change from cold to warm. I took this vid this afternoon. Seems to me like the source is near the TB cover.

http://youtu.be/yDhPLodtVAo

It sounds like your vid #2 to me....let me know what you think

jhumbo

iTrader: (1)

I agree it sounds very similar and could very well be the same thing .I know it is a little early for your timing belt service, but I would shop for a placee with a good price on that service and see if they can confirm that it is the TB tensioner. My dealer used a stethoscope to confirm. If they are going to go in, you might as well get the whole 105k service done since it is the same labor.

hrod26

I may try a stethascope....although using a socket extension as a stethascope seems to confirm the location under the TB cover (side nearest front end).

I'll do the 105k service work myself. I'm working on ordering all necessary parts. Thanks for the response!

thrlride

My 07 TL is making the same sound as your #2 video. My sound sounds like it is coming from the passenger side top center of the engine. I'm not sure if that is where the timing belt tensioner or drive belt tensioner is. I'll check it oh tomorrow and see.

Mine makes the ticking noise when below 60 degrees and goes away when the engine warms up. It also speeds up as the engine revs.

thassett

jhumbo - thanks VERY much for the help here. My 06 TL AT, just started making the exact noise you show in video #1.

Bun_Bo_Hue

thanks, im experiencing the same noise in vid 2

hrod26

For a follow up to my engine noise (video in post #33). This was in fact a failed timing belt pulley which was causing the belt to improperly rub against stationary parts. I was lucky to find and fix when I did...could have had the belt snap. The pulley (bearing) was in many pieces. Moral of the story, if there is a noise that you can isolate as coming from TB area...fix ASAP. Hope that helps somebody.