Hi all,
I have two really annoying issues with my TL that are starting to make me dislike my car. It's a 2010 TL SH-AWD 6-speed with CPO warranty. Currently has 41,000 miles. Here are my issues and hope you guys can have some insight:

Since the weather has started getting warmer, I've been getting some obnoxious pinging (spark knock) from the engine when I'm accelerating or when the engine is under load. It's strange how it behaves. I can start it up cold, drive for hours in stop and go traffic and no pinging. Once I stop the car for a few mins and start again, it pings like crazy and continues to do so. I hate it and don't want this to eventually damage the engine. I fill up with premium 91 octane gas from top tier places since I've owned it. Took it to the dealer twice and both times they heard it said it's bad gas or just the nature of the engine. BULL!!! I refuse to accept that answer. Anyone else have any issues like this?

Also, when the car is good and warmed up (doesn't do this when cold) I hear and feel a clunk from the transmission when I change gears. I even hear it when the clutch engages in 1st gear. Again, brought this to the attention of the service manager and he claimed it was driver errorl. Not the case at all. I've driven manual transmissions all my life and never have heard this audible clunk before. It's really noticeable outside as well. Could it be synchros or a mount?

Appreciate any input...

 

1st, we dont know if you're truely pinging or its the mounts...you, yourself are confused on where the sound is coming from based on your last sentence/question.

you can test if it is truely knock by adding some 100 octane to your tank.
it's usually sold at race tracks.
by mixing 100 and 91, you'll raise your octane and can see if this stops your "pinging" sound.

2nd of all, the J-series engine has a serious problem of heat soak.
by reducing AIT's or air Intake temperature's, you can succesfully stop knock.

this means you'll have to reduce heat underneath the hood.
for starters, there is a blanket or hood insulation that you could take off.

 

Is it a ping or a tick? I hear a very faint tick which does not bother me as I too think it's the nature of the engine and haven't had any issues yet. Have you check your oil level? Make sure it's not low. Transmission is the same thing, I hear a clunk every time I shift and I get no clutch slipping and and it engages everytime. You're probably not used to it. To reassure you, go out and ask the dealer to test drive another 4G.

 

I have the same pinging sound when I accelerate
dealer told me the same thing to use top tire gas station
and I am using 94 octane from a top tire gas station from last 4-5 months
It still does it I also changed the timing belt waterpump tensioner
every fluid too

still does it
I am taking it in tomorrow to see if they can find out what is it

It started doing this at like 94000km now I am at 111000 km

help anybody???

 

Just throwing this out there,check your plugs.

If they were changed before make sure it is the right plug that was re installed,if they were never changed check them, perhaps they may be fouled up.OP,there is no telling what gas the previous owner used.

 

It may be worth investing some $ to buy a OBDII reader and get some of the vital numbers. Air/Fuel ration, fuel trims, coolant temp etc. These numbers can tell you a lot about your engine in various driving conditions. Alternatively, your dealer can put some effort (lol) and plug in their HDS tablet, take the car for a drive, and see for themselves whats causing the pinging or clicking or whatever... if the mechanic is experienced enough to interpret the numbers right. But, as most dealers often do, they don't bother being proactive. Oh well...

 

 

Problem fixed for the pinging! Thanks everyone for the replies/help. I drove 300 miles to another dealer, and they were welcoming and very attentive to my concerns...like they cared. They hooked up my car to their tablet and found there was a software update available. Performed update free of charge, and it FIXED my pinging for good. I'm so happy now. The shifting clunk was looked at as well, and they did say that was normal. Service manager claimed his wife has the same car and it does it too. That I'll live with it. I might consider trying some GM synchromesh later down the line.

TeamAcura, my car was a distinct pinging, and I've heard it on many other cars as well. I do have a slight ticking too, but I know that is definitely normal..especially of Hondas. The shifter I'm thinking now yes, I wasn't used to it.


Ladhar, next time you're in for service, ask for a software update. Hope your issue is fixed as easily as mine.

 

Is this a new update they are doing on all TL?

 

Ladhar, next time you're in for service, ask for a software update. Hope your issue is fixed as easily as mine.[/QUOTE]


I went to dealership today and told the manager about it
he checked the system and said there is no update for my car
so I showed him your message and post
argued wil him for gud 20 minutes so he booked me an appointment
for next thursday and they will try to fix the issue
he acknowledged that Zdx Tl and Mdx all had this issue

 

Is there a factory bulletin for this software update ?

 

no Went to dealership yesterday they said my car is upto date they cant do nothing about this pinging noise ?

 

Is there a way to check what software version number it is on our cars ?