Hello, I have a 2012 2.4L accord that has an engine rattle in low gears mainly 1st and 2nd gear under load conditions. The rattle sounds similar to the VTC actuator rattle but I do not get the rattle during cold starts. The rattle goes away after driving for a while and when I drive very slowly or with not much load on the engine I can't hear the rattle. I'm trying to figure out if this rattle comes from the VTC actuator or possible a bad timing chain tensioner or a bad VVT selonoid? No check engine light is on. Any help or suggestions would be appreciate. Thanks in advance.

 

Could this whining noise also come from a bad water pump? The noise goes away after about 10 minutes of driving, also seems to get louder under acceleration and turning.

 

bumping this in hopes of a reply, the noise sounds very similar to bad vtc actuator but doesnt make the noise on start up, only makes the noise when engine is cold and in 1st or 2nd giving it more gas. Could it be VTC actuator or timing chain tensioner? any help appreciated. Thanks

 

I’m not very experienced with the k series engines but I would pop the valve cover and look around the timing chain, do a valve adjustment and hope you find the answer.