Honda Civic - Engine grinding noise

[Phil Conners]

A few months ago our 2007 Civic started making some grinding engine noise, particularly when cold. Honda fixed it telling us it was one of the rubber engine mounts that needed replacing.

Now the exact same thing happened again, so I took the car to Honda assuming it would be another engine mount, but they told me the mounts were fine, but another dims needed to be changed. They couldn't explain me what it was, but pointed to the nut in the picture. I'm not completely helpless with car engines but I really can't imagine what this thing is for.

Anyone can tell me what it is for, and why it would cause a grinding noise?

Curiously the cost of repair is about the same, around 5,000 baht.

[transam]

Dunno, but they will tell you anything as they think we are all mechanically daft...................

[desmondspencer]

could be wrong but that seems like a belt tensioner.. is your car heating up pretty fast? if so, it could very well be the water pump, change the belts at the same time

[Phil Conners]

Belt tensioner sounds likely. No, the car actually is fine, no heating problems. Just one or two months ago the power steering was making an odd noise. First they changed the belt (800 baht) and when that didn't fix the problem, they took the servo apart, changed some gaskets, at ... you guessed it ... 5000 baht. That seems like the standard cost for any smallish engine fix at Honda. Anyway, I digress. Could it simply be that the belt isn't tightened correctly or something like that?

The thing is, it looks like you're snookered in Thailand. The spare parts are sold with work included, so even if you go to another garage, they still have to go to Honda for the parts - which are already priced with Honda's service. In Europe you'd more likely than not use 3rd party spare parts, usually better quality at lower price than the original, does that exist in Thailand?

[Tywais]

Is it a grinding noise or a high pitched squeal? An improperly tensioned belt means the belt can slip causing a squeal and more so when cold as the belt has not softened for a good grip yet. Though I suspect you are already familiar with that sound and cause.

[arthurwait]

The grinding noise is probably a pulley bearing failing.

Edit: Take it to another Honda place or independent. Probably the air con pump bearing is the real problem.

I suspect your mechanic is either an idiot or ripping you off.

[transam]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

[IMHO]

Dunno, but they will tell you anything as they think we are all mechanically daft...................

just mechanically?

[John 1]

Belt tensioner sounds likely. No, the car actually is fine, no heating problems. Just one or two months ago the power steering was making an odd noise. First they changed the belt (800 baht) and when that didn't fix the problem, they took the servo apart, changed some gaskets, at ... you guessed it ... 5000 baht. That seems like the standard cost for any smallish engine fix at Honda. Anyway, I digress. Could it simply be that the belt isn't tightened correctly or something like that?

The thing is, it looks like you're snookered in Thailand. The spare parts are sold with work included, so even if you go to another garage, they still have to go to Honda for the parts - which are already priced with Honda's service. In Europe you'd more likely than not use 3rd party spare parts, usually better quality at lower price than the original, does that exist in Thailand?

Looking at the bolt you have highlighted in red doesn't seem to be anything. Do you mean just to the left of the red circle which looks like belt tensioner if that is faulty it will make a noise, easy way to test is have someone take the belt off and wiggle it for any play. as for cost if it's 1,000bt that would be fitted. As your car is 6 years old go to a local garage they will source part from local shop not Honda.

[Ace of Pop]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

Chain.

[transam]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

Chain.

Aha, surely I can't be right twice in one week....................

[John 1]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

Chain.

It's a 2007 model are you sure it's chain or is it a belt?

[Ace of Pop]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

Chain.

It's a 2007 model are you sure it's chain or is it a belt?

Yes. Not sure about Tyre Pressure though, but then.....................................

[BSJ]

The circled part is the lock nut for the idler pulley. If the belts have been over tensioned it can half the life of the bearing in the idle pulley. The bearing can usually be pressed out and another fitted.

If there is not heavy wear on the belts easily visible, turn the belt inside out and squeeze several areas around circumference. Your looking for crazy cracks. Any crazy cracks ditch the belt and get new one.

[bobfish]

Grinding noise = bearing. Possibly idler/tensioner pulley bearing. Not familiar with Hondas, but it could also be a bearing on one of the driven ancilliaries - water pump, power steering pump, a/c compressor [less likely if it is a constant noise]. A backyard check could be to get a piece of garden hose and use as a stethoscope, then give the suspect bearing a squirt with WD40 or similar [use the pipetube and be careful to not get any on the belt!!!] and see if that reduces the sound temporarily.

[Ace of Pop]

Someone posted a load of nonsence about Honda Spares include fitting, hence expensive. Labour is Extra, same the World Over. Never heard of them fitting the wrong part and charging you for it either. . Toyota and Honda still give the best aftersales service . Bobfish has spotted a regular Honda Prob, spot on.

[Phil Conners]

Is it a grinding noise or a high pitched squeal? An improperly tensioned belt means the belt can slip causing a squeal and more so when cold as the belt has not softened for a good grip yet. Though I suspect you are already familiar with that sound and cause.

I know what you mean, but it's not fanbelt squal, more like a growl, and only when it's cold. When the engine is hot it's barely heard, in fact my wife had to take the Honda guys for a test drive before they could hear it (or perhaps they couldn't and their whole story was just a face-save maneuver.) I'm unfortunately unable to go with it myself at this time.

The grinding noise is probably a pulley bearing failing.

Edit: Take it to another Honda place or independent. Probably the air con pump bearing is the real problem.

I suspect your mechanic is either an idiot or ripping you off.

I think I will. Anyone know of a good reliable inexpensive independent in the Pattaya area.

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

I think it's a belt, you can see it on the picture in the OP.

Looking at the bolt you have highlighted in red doesn't seem to be anything. Do you mean just to the left of the red circle which looks like belt tensioner if that is faulty it will make a noise, easy way to test is have someone take the belt off and wiggle it for any play. as for cost if it's 1,000bt that would be fitted. As your car is 6 years old go to a local garage they will source part from local shop not Honda.

My wife told me they pointed at the nut, but it could have been something to the left.

[transam]

A timing belt is not visible, they are internal, ancillary belts are visible.

[Tywais]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

I think it's a belt, you can see it on the picture in the OP.

Actually Civics from 2006 and on have switched to timing chains. You can not see it as it is internal to the engine block. You can see an example below with the timing chain tensioner.

[John 1]

Someone posted a load of nonsence about Honda Spares include fitting, hence expensive. Labour is Extra, same the World Over. Never heard of them fitting the wrong part and charging you for it either. . Toyota and Honda still give the best aftersales service . Bobfish has spotted a regular Honda Prob, spot on.

You have a Honda, you say Bobfish has spotted a Regular Honda problem so what is it?

[Ace of Pop]

Someone posted a load of nonsence about Honda Spares include fitting, hence expensive. Labour is Extra, same the World Over. Never heard of them fitting the wrong part and charging you for it either. . Toyota and Honda still give the best aftersales service . Bobfish has spotted a regular Honda Prob, spot on.

You have a Honda, you say Bobfish has spotted a Regular Honda problem so what is it?

I have no intentions of bandying words with you.., seeing your other posts. The Family have had Hondas,and no Problems but that funny noise.

[Ace of Pop]

Does your engine have a ''timing'' chain or a belt.? I don't know. If the chain tensioner is stuffed it will make a row.

I think it's a belt, you can see it on the picture in the OP.

Actually Civics from 2006 and on have switched to timing chains. You can not see it as it is internal to the engine block. You can see an example below with the timing chain tensioner.

As did City and Accord.

[Phil Conners]

So it could be the timing chain that has been tightened to hard? That would explain the rattle when it's cold and no problem when it's warm and has expanded a bit.

[transam]

No, chains are automatically tensioned by an oil pressure ''valve''. Two things can happen for tension failure. The valve fails or the chain stretches beyond possible adjustment.

[arthurwait]

So it could be the timing chain that has been tightened to hard? That would explain the rattle when it's cold and no problem when it's warm and has expanded a bit.

Is this the same noise or a different noise ?

[Phil Conners]

Same, there is only the one.

[arthurwait]

I'm still going with air con pump bearing then.

[transam]

We really need a recording of the the blighter................

[Phil Conners]

Sorry for the delay, here's a recording of it ....

[sotsira]

In your video the nut you circled in your OP is visibly moving left & right.

That should not be happening so there is your problem.