Noisy valves 2002 Accord

[stranger706]

Is it normal for the valves to be noisy after a cold start? After a few minutes they go completely silent. I'm thinking about removing the valve cover this weekend and having a look/adjusting them.

This is on a 2002 Honda Accord 2.3 with 107,000 miles.

 

[SLCraig]

I believe it is in the service regimen to adjust the valves, so I would say its probably normal if they've never been done. Good maintenance history up until this point?

 

[tdpark]

At that mileage your probably due for a valve adjustment check.

 

[ComfyShorts]

2.3 in 6th generation accords are noisy by nature, you can adjust them all day and night and it won't get much better.

 

[bepperb]

On the F23 the valve adjustment isn't a bad job. If the timing belt hasn't been done you can catch them both at the same time.

 

[LeakySeals]

A cold startup tick can also indicate a dirty engine with poor oil flow. What kind of oil are you using and how often are you changing it?

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: stranger706
Is it normal for the valves to be noisy after a cold start? After a few minutes they go completely silent. I'm thinking about removing the valve cover this weekend and having a look/adjusting them.

This is on a 2002 Honda Accord 2.3 with 107,000 miles.

The noise you hear is not valves, it's piston-slap.

Check the valves anyway. If you've gone 107K without checking them, they need doing.

 

[jtfmdyk]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: stranger706
Is it normal for the valves to be noisy after a cold start? After a few minutes they go completely silent. I'm thinking about removing the valve cover this weekend and having a look/adjusting them.

This is on a 2002 Honda Accord 2.3 with 107,000 miles.

The noise you hear is not valves, it's piston-slap.

Check the valves anyway. If you've gone 107K without checking them, they need doing.



Worth considering. If it is rapid chatter, like a sewing machine, I would lean towards valves and adjust. A more distinct light knock would likely be slap, which you would probably have to learn to live with.

 

[stranger706]

I've only had the car for 6 weeks, no maintenance history. When I got the car home I changed the oil & filter using PYB 5w20 and Fram extended guard. The oil filter that came off was a Honda oil filter. When I saw that I realized the Honda dealer had probably just done an oil change. Shoot, oh well it had already drained so I put the new stuff on.

The small amount of valvetrain I can see through the oil fill hole is clean. Based on that and how the car operates and drives, I would say the car was well cared for.

Interesting comment about the 2.3 being noisy. After its warmed up, its one the quietest I4's I've heard.