W95civicEXcoupe

It seems that the engine is very clattery when it is first started, and cold. It eventually seems to normalize, however.. How common is this on the Honda 1.6L? Or, any tricks to quiet it, are there any? I realize that it is not necessarily "bad" for the engine, is perhaps even normal.

(For me: 1995 Civic EX, engine from a 2000.)

Former User

What makes you conclude the valves cause the noise?

W95civicEXcoupe

Nothing solid, it was more or less speculation. Could be lifters, I suppose.. whatever part of the upper engine causes that "clattery." I don't know what exact part it is. (Also, the word "valvetrain")

Seems more pronounced on cold, though..

Former User

Put an engine stethoscope on the engine to pinpoint the source. You could be right, but without hard information, anybody here would be speculating wildly.

crvtectim

How cold are we talking in your neck of the woods?

What weight motor oil are you running?

How often do you change it?

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

Hondas dont have lifters.. but most likely its lack of oil on the valvetrain..

If your in cold climate then a 5w20 should be used.

TomCat39

I don't think that is correct. It's still 5 weight when cold and then reduces viscosity once warm.

Unless I'm mistaken, Honda only recommended 5w30 and 10w30 all through the 5th and 6th generations.

I believe the viscosity rating of 30 is rather important.

OP, if you are talking about the sewing machine sound of the engine then yes it's normal, if you got knocking on the other hand.....

The stethoscope (still out of stock at my local store ) will be your friend in this.

92ehatch

long screw drivers attached to large lobed ears work well for stethoscopes.

op can try adjusting the valve lash

W95civicEXcoupe

Sorry for the delay, everyone. Been working. I apologize.

I have been running Royal Purple 0W-20... I believe it is API Service rated "SN." I do this because I am from the BITOG (or Bob Is The Oil Guy) website school of thought on oil.. I am not active on there at this time, but, they all say "as long as minimum oil pressure is maintained, more flow - more lubrication." I also never see the oil pressure light even flicker... I need to change the oil FILTER, I did not have money and changed the oil, and not the filter.. I now possess the filter - again, a Royal Purple filter, hey, why not - and plan on changing it this week.

I waited about 5000 to 6000 miles, with an unknown history and the oil changed "two months before I bought the car by the previous owner," before changing the oil, and not filter.

The previous oil MAY have been Pennzoil 10W-40. I say this because of a jug of oil I found in the trunk. With oil still in it. But not all...

And, I would not describe it as a "knock." More like the "typewriter/sewing machine." Reminds me of a Jaguar I had. This engine supposedly has only 80,000 miles on it. And I am putting MMO (or Marvel Mystery Oil) in with the oil change, as well... as well as the Lubro Moly Mos2. I see no "abnormal smoking," but, then again, I haven't driven behind the car in awhile. Everything seems to be working perfect, and I am taking extra care to care for the transmission. (I changed its fluid twice since I bought it, with Honda DW-1.)

Northern NJ. (Massachusetts is colder)

eHMxhACk

iTrader: (17)

The noisier valve train is due to your use of synthetic oil. If you switch to a conventional 5W-30 some of that noise will go away.





eH.