Hi Everyone,

Recently my Acura 2012 3.5L FWD TL (135,000 clicks) has made this grinding / rattlling noise on startup. It goes away shortly after the startup, and based on the videos attached, it seems more audible inside the car or outside the car, and not under the hood. I definitely don't hear it after driving for a while. And i havent experienced the sound after letting the car is off for only an hour or more. The sound seems to go away after 10 - 20 seconds but it is a weird grinding / rattling noise, sometimes the sound goes away during the start up and reappears a second or so later, sometimes its continous.

I have done some research on these forums and through google and i dont seem to be able to find an exact copy of this issue among other posters. The VTC sound i have heard on 4 cylinders seems to be the most similar, although i dont think the 6 cl has the VTC (i'm not that knowledgeable about car parts) Its not the ATF gurgle noise, i had that fixed long time ago and the noise is distinctly different. Roughly 2 years ago i had the timing belt, water pump, tensioners changed at 100,000 kms, and maybe a year ago changed the spark plugs all by my independent mechanic.

I'm concerned it might be a tensioner or logically speaking, it could be the starter? I am in Toronto, Canada and temperatures havent dropped significantly yet to say it is cold weather related.

- the noise starts around 6/7 second mark. Hopefully its audible for you guys, my wifes phone isnt the best lol.

Thank you.

 

How is the oil level?

 

Engine oil levels appears to be okay. I am at 30% so I will have it changed soon.

 

Anyone?

Did bring it to the mechanic did an oil change and he said a bearing on the tensioner was gone so he replaced that. But it did still make the noise once in the last 5 days =/.
At least it doesnt seem to be the belt/tensioner as he inspected it.

 

Wouldn't be the starter but potentially the alternator pulley or TB tensioner, where did you buy your tensioner when you replaced it back then?

 

Its an OEM part from the Acura dealership.

I do hear the grinding/scratching noise very slightly while driving only sometimes now. =/

 

If it is coming from the passenger side of engine, I'm thinking it could be a bad clutch on the A/C compressor, or the compressor is failing/going bad. No Power Steering System on that side anymore. Other items would be belt tensioner(s), accessory belt, timing belt, or alternator bearing going bad.