rawger

Hey guys, haven't posted here in awhile. I've been having this issue for a few months now, however it went away for awhile until it happened again yesterday. I didn't drive my car for one day and the next morning when I started it, there was a pretty loud, audible bang noise that came from under the hood. Like I said, it's happened a few times before, but the car drove fine every time since. This time, I was trying to beat a red light within 5-10 minutes of my commute, so I sped up and I noticed the car was hanging in 3rd gear after I let off the gas. It wasn't until I shifted it manually with the paddle shifter that it went to 4th gear. Since then, it again has been driving fine.

I considered the VTC actuator which many people also have issues with, however that sounds more like a grind noise and really isn't as loud as what I've been hearing. Anyone have a similar experience or should I just have Acura look around?

rawger

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...mation-789358/

And does anyone know how to open the TSB links? They used to work when you opened the first link, but it just says "You are not authorized to view the content on this page." now.

ScottyWM

Sound like this? It's a mystery to us too.
https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...arting-977162/

rawger

TexasHonda

I had the VTC actuator noise a few times during winter 16-17 and switched to synthetic oil summer of 17. Noise has not returned since change. I used Walmart synthetic oil.

good luck

rawger

I've used synthetic since I've had the car since 2013 and I live in Florida and the car is garaged so it's never under 55-60 F.

Thank you though.

Midnight Mystery

When was the last time the bang happened?

rawger

About 6 days ago. Actually haven't driven my car since then too. I'll definitely record the next time I start it up, but I'm expecting it to be normal because that's just how rare it is.

Midnight Mystery

rawger

What I meant is even though I haven't driven the car in 1 week, I'm not expecting it to make this noise. It just randomly happens.

And I actually drove the car today after about 9 days, and what do you know, no noise.

Midnight Mystery

I get it, and that's good...


I was just poking fun at the wording in the previous post... If you read it without knowing anything else, it's a little -ing...


Glad to see it's not severe...

Is the car doing alright otherwise?

rawger

I was just referencing how rare it is, but also how it's frustrating because I can't record evidence should I need it for Acura.

There's really no other obvious symptoms that are shown, which also is good/bad depending on how you look at it.

I've read people say their timing chain needed replacement because it's been stretched and one guy said his engine valves needed replacing, all things that aren't cheap by any means.

Midnight Mystery

It might be the VTC actuator... I know this is a common failure on 2G TSX's...

Midnight Mystery

Does it sound like this?

Midnight Mystery

at previous post... A lot of the VTC actuator noises sound like piston slap or something, but I cannot come up with another conclusion, as of yet...

ScottyWM

Mine doesn't sound like that. Mine is just one bang, about the sound you'd get dropping a cardboard box on the concrete floor.

Midnight Mystery

Hmmm.... Could it be an electrical pop, or maybe an issue with the starter bendix gear or flexplate.

msharifi

I have had this happen couple of times and I can't pin point it because it doesn't happen all the time but it sounds like something is getting stuck and it gets let go of a sound but its for sure coming from under the hood. Someone said might be the engine mounts but I'm not really sure if its that.

rawger

Nope, not a grinding noise.

Sounds a lot more like this. It also happens pretty quick and then nothing afterwards.

Doubtful on motor mount. Would be experiencing something other than just a 1x noise. I'm still 90% sure its the VTC actuator since so many TSX owners have experienced it.

rawger

As long as it doesn't turn into a daily occurrence, plan is to take the car to Acura during my next oil change (usually just go Honda) and let them know about it and see what they recommend looking into. I'll keep you guys updated if I hear anything back.