Honda Car Forum

Hi,

I got a 2000 Civic DX, 40k. I get a strange metallic ticking/popping sound
usually during half throttle when accelerating through 40-60 mph. It doesn't
happen when I floor it. It disappears when I reach cruising speed. It only
happens when my engine is fully warmed up after having driven 5-10 miles. It
doesn't happen when I rev the engine in park.

I took it to a couple mechanics...they can't hear it, but they think it's
probably misfiring (I thought my car had a knock sensor), and I need a
tuneup. I was also told it might be an exhaust leak or my valves should be
adjusted.

Any thoughts?

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:51:31 -0800, "Paul Kim" <none@nowhere.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I got a 2000 Civic DX, 40k. I get a strange metallic ticking/popping sound
>usually during half throttle when accelerating through 40-60 mph. It doesn't
>happen when I floor it. It disappears when I reach cruising speed. It only
>happens when my engine is fully warmed up after having driven 5-10 miles. It
>doesn't happen when I rev the engine in park.
>
>I took it to a couple mechanics...they can't hear it, but they think it's
>probably misfiring (I thought my car had a knock sensor), and I need a
>tuneup. I was also told it might be an exhaust leak or my valves should be
>adjusted.

You're about the right mileage/age for catalytic converter heatshields to
start rattling, especially if you live in the frost belt.<GRRRRR> Do you
get it at approx. the same RPMs in every gear? Your description is kinda
vague but I guess it *could* be the valves which need adjusting - probably
time anyway if they haven't been looked at before.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

> You're about the right mileage/age for catalytic converter heatshields to
> start rattling, especially if you live in the frost belt.<GRRRRR>

Hmm, well, the history of the car is this:

2 years in upstate New York
1 year in Atlanta
1 year in Los Angeles

I've probably driven cross country 4 or 5 times in this car. I bought it
back when I was in college, and spent a year in Atlanta doing Americorps.
Originally from LA.

Do you
> get it at approx. the same RPMs in every gear?

Yes, but most pronounced in 2nd and 3rd...probably around 3000rpm, but I
don't have a tach.

Your description is kinda
> vague but I guess it *could* be the valves which need adjusting - probably
> time anyway if they haven't been looked at before.

Possibly also an exhaust leak? Could it be pinging?

On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:30:44 -0800, "Paul Kim" <none@nowhere.com> wrote:

>> You're about the right mileage/age for catalytic converter heatshields to
>> start rattling, especially if you live in the frost belt.<GRRRRR>
>
>Hmm, well, the history of the car is this:
>
>2 years in upstate New York
>1 year in Atlanta
>1 year in Los Angeles
>
>I've probably driven cross country 4 or 5 times in this car. I bought it
>back when I was in college, and spent a year in Atlanta doing Americorps.
>Originally from LA.
>
>Do you
>> get it at approx. the same RPMs in every gear?
>
>Yes, but most pronounced in 2nd and 3rd...probably around 3000rpm, but I
>don't have a tach.

If it's the heatshields it'll get gradually worse and the noise will tend
to change character.

>Your description is kinda
>> vague but I guess it *could* be the valves which need adjusting - probably
>> time anyway if they haven't been looked at before.
>
>Possibly also an exhaust leak? Could it be pinging?

It's early for an exhaust/muffler leak; other than the muffler itself, the
only place I've seen an exhaust leak on a Honda is the front of the B-pipe,
right behind where it is fastened to the catalytic converter. IME Honda
mufflers tend to last ~70K miles here in the N.E. and the B-pipe often
lasts an extra 10K miles on top of that, so almost worth doing both at the
same time. To test for pinging, try a tankful of a higher grade gas to see
if it eliminates it.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??