So i have a f20b dohc vtec engine in my prelude. i did not do the swap, nor did not know the owner who did it. Been fixing issues here and there, and now one of the main issues is what im left with. And the main issue is engine noise. I did some searching and came across a youtube video that had a h22a with almost identical noise just not as profound,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBPKG5m1XAg.

the noise is more noticeable as the rpms increase, but at around 5k the noise doesnt increase and rather stays stagnent. I do not over rev this car, i rarely hit vtec twice a week. But as i said i do not know how the previous owner treated it. I use 10w30 syn blend, and always premium gas. The car presently is running on a working h22a ecu. The posts by the man in the video says his problem was solved by replacing the knock sensor. But i am not coding for the knock sensor. Only code im throwing is EGR due to having a block off plate. Car in general runs fine, idles fine, rev's with no hinder. Any help is much appreciated thanks.

Car=93 si vtec prelude. Everything for the swap was converted to obd1.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kt_7...eature=related

Another video with identical noise, but this owner didnt reply whether or not they found out the issue sadly.

my apologies for youtube videos, but my video camera isnt up and running for me to be able to record my exact noise.

 

have you tried a valve lash adjustment?
that would be my first thing to do..

 

I agree. Sounds like the valve lash is set too loose.

 

Question is will the h22 specs for the valves be the same, or will i have to find the specs for the f20. Or if anyone has the specs available feel free to post : ).

 

I had something like this happen to me.

 

i had went threw 3 engines in a month due to the fact that too many people canot work on cars as we all kno and i had 2 oil pump failures and they were gradual like it would start sounding like the valves then the next thing you knew it was knocking like a SOB and the engine was pretty much f*&$#D! sooo i kno it would seem elementery but check simple things first oil pressure, get a hammer and tap on the block by the knock sensor and see if it retards ignition timing and between thoes 2 you shoudl be able to find ur problem pretty quick

 

What happened to yours?

 

sounds like your timing belt tensioner is getting weak.
I see this from time to time at work.

 

Twas the wonderful timing belt auto tensioner. damn thing was covered in whatever grease/fluid thats in it. But overall engine has new pump and belts, and runs and sounds great. Thanks for folks that mentioned the tensioner.