Honda Car Forum

Hi All,

I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
Phoenix AZ

Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
with the shop, they cannot find a problem.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,

John

John Smith wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
> however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
> screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
> as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
> is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
> Phoenix AZ
>
> Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
> starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
> more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
> with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>
> Any suggestions would be welcome.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
Sounds like a glazed belt to me.

Peter H

"John Smith" <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:gS03d.45217$9Y5.28812@fed1read02...
> Hi All,
>
> I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
> however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
> screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
> as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
> is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
> Phoenix AZ
>
> Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
> starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
> more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
> with the shop, they cannot find a problem.

What have you done in the two years, since it started doing this?

John Smith <nospam@nowhere.com> wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
>however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
>screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
>as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
>is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
>Phoenix AZ
>
>Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
>starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
>more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
>with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>
>Any suggestions would be welcome.
>
>Thanks,
>
>John

I have the same problem. Search the usenet archive, the problem seems
to be 'piston slap' and is apparently normal.

http://groups.google.com
search: civic piston slap

John Smith wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
> however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
> screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
> as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
> is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
> Phoenix AZ
>
> Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
> starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
> more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
> with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>
> Any suggestions would be welcome.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John

===========================

One of your belts is just a bit too loose. A tiny shot of water will
prove which one it is. Then tighten it a bit.

Piston slap sounds like a VW diesel idling. That's not likely your problem.

'curly'

Serpentine belt. Time for a new one.

In article <gS03d.45217$9Y5.28812@fed1read02> John Smith
<nospam@nowhere.com> writes:

>Hi All,
>
>I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
>however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
>screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
>as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
>is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
>Phoenix AZ
>
>Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
>starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
>more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
>with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>
>Any suggestions would be welcome.
>
>Thanks,
>
>John

motsco_ _ wrote:
>
> One of your belts is just a bit too loose. A tiny shot of water will
> prove which one it is. Then tighten it a bit.
>
> Piston slap sounds like a VW diesel idling. That's not likely your problem.
>
> 'curly'
>

What would I hear/see?

John

Peter H wrote:
> John Smith wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I own a 99 civic coupe - has given me flawless service
>> however, since around 2002, it has been emitting a shrill
>> screeching sound when the engine is started cold (such
>> as early in the morning. Once the engine heats up, the sound
>> is gone. I put 'cold' in the subject line because I live in
>> Phoenix AZ
>>
>> Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
>> starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
>> more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
>> with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>>
>> Any suggestions would be welcome.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> John
>
> Sounds like a glazed belt to me.
>
> Peter H

That is an interesting possibility because it fits
the symptoms. How can I confirm this?

John

Brian Smith wrote:
>>
>>Yet, this problem occurs more frequently once the weather
>>starts to cool down. I know this is not the brakes, it sounds
>>more like a belt needing some silicon but despite repeated checks
>>with the shop, they cannot find a problem.
>
>
> What have you done in the two years, since it started doing this?
>
>

Well, I've taken it to my mechanic -had him check out the belts
to make sure they were appropriately gel'd. I got new (front) brake
pads about 6 mo. ago and had them look at the engine again.

Another problem is that this problem occurs when the engine is cold -
typically in the mornings. By the time I drive up to the shop, the sound
is gone.

Then there are periods of days when it disappears completely so makes
me suspicious of what's going on.

John

jajabinks wrote:
>
>
> I have the same problem. Search the usenet archive, the problem seems
> to be 'piston slap' and is apparently normal.
>
> http://groups.google.com
> search: civic piston slap
>

As pointed out by 'curly', that's not it...

John