So my engine has been making a tapping sound for a little while now, so i decide to take it to the dealer today and get it checked out. Turns out my rod bearings are wearing out. The sheisty looking mechanic says that I should rebuild my engine or get a new one. I tell him that I have 84k on my engine and that would seem somewhat absurd. Then I say couldn't I just replace the bearings and all is well? Then he shrugs and says I guess.

He seemed reluctant to give me a straight forward answer so that is why I am asking you guys. Do I really need to rebuild my engine like he suggests or can I just replace the bearings, to rid of that very obnoxious tapping sound. Sorry for this somewhat newbie question. I just need a straight forward answer.

 

how obnoxious and how loud, your in md right? i used to live in wheaton, im in VA now tho, let me know more about the noise.....

 

When the weather is cold, and running a cold engine, it is very noticable. Tapping gets faster with more throttle. Then the noise gets fainter when engine warms up, but you can still hear it only until about 2k rpms then the engine noise drowns it out. Warm days like today, it is hard to hear. So outside temp. plays a factor on it also.

Yeah I live in Montgomery County, Gaithersburg. Not too far from Wheaton, 20 minute drive. I head down to VA very often to visit my girlfriend who lives in Vienna.

 

LOL, cool were so close, heh, do you go to er what used to be elements alot

okokokokok, pika later,
well it sounds like you have the distinct tapping of valves, are you keeping your oil level consistent (meaning not letting it get down to nothing before you change the oil?), try to run some injector cleaner or octane boost, clean things up a bit in there, the tap could be light buildup on the valves or even just the fact that you need to have the valves adjusted

oh btw, I used to go to Blair HS back in the day......

 

Well the mechanic made it quite clear that my rod bearings were worn. Yeah before I brought it in i tried the injector cleaners but it didn't do much. I also got a valve adjustment 15k miles ago.


Elements!! haha now known as Insomnia. I went there a few times even though all my experiences there were pretty dreadful. The music they play most of the time is horrible, and it is like a sauna in there. Blair, that school is fuking nice... I know a few people from there that graduated 2001, and I also took my SAT's there. I went to Quince Orchard HS.

 

cool, you can normally find me at buz, or when some good peeps are promoting muralis

I graduated in 96 , yeah im gettin to be an old fart

ok back to your car, how much oil do you burn? I really have to hear the noise to make a better assesment, im pretty sure the mechanic was playing on your lack of insight as to what is wrong in an effort to extract money from you....

 

Kensington MD here.
Dude, I highly doubt your '97 motor needs a rebuild at only 84K. Sounds like the dealer is trying to take you for a big ride.
After 10 years of dealing with so many shops and dealer, I only trust one: CDE Motorsports in NoVA.

 

Yeah, I'm going to get a second opinion at my parent's friend's shop sometime next week. Thanks SOHCArchAngel and 4doorh22 for your quick replies.

 

I too only trust CDE... I can't say enough good things about them... Are you sure it's not the valves being out of adjustment? Usually rod bearings won't start clicking until right before they give out... I mean less than 20 miles... Plus, my F22B1 has had the **** beaten out if it, and I don't burn any oil, and still get better fuel economy than almost every other Accord out there... Fact of the matter is that F22s are extremely reliable...

 

Can you tell me where CDE is located? I just might take your word on it and take a trip to NOVA.

 

My old motor was making a tapping sound (more like knocking), and a couple of sources said it was probably a spun rod bearing. That noise would be quiet when the car was cold and get louder as it warmed up. I was told basically to get a rebuild, so that's when I got the H22.