Out of the blue, my stock civic engine(single cam vtec) started producing a very annoying and loud sound in the engine. It's like clank clank, very raspy and sounds like a grass weeder.

It used to work very good and very quiet. But now it's just so darn loud. I checked the timing belt/pump everything seems to be ok. Engine oil is good.

The only thing I can think of is probably the cat or some part of the exhaust is broken due to scrap with big humps going to work.

Any opinions? I'm kinda afraid to drive it coz I feel it will suddenly break out or smoke something.

Right now it has 138k miles on stock motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by apm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only thing I can think of is probably the cat or some part of the exhaust is broken due to scrap with big humps going to work.</TD></TR></TABLE>

did you check the exhaust and header ?

 

I think the exhaust is fine co'z the noise is coming from the engine bay or at the bottom if it's the header.

I will check the car tomorrow. Man I hope it's not the engine and it's just the exhaust or header I am not yet ready for an engine swap.

 

if its really loud you could have a broken rod. happened to me. it sounds like a loud banging sound from inside the engine. stick a broom handle on the engine when its running. put your ear to the other end. you should be able to tell if its coming from inside the engine.

 

actually, even without sticking my ear near the engine i think the annoying noise was coming from the inside of the engine itself.

oh man...i'm still hoping it's not the engine. if it is i was screwed when i bought this car from the dealership 3 months ago.

 

well apparently, the timing belt was just loose when the dealership replaced it 3 months ago....whew..i thought it was the engine itself!