I tried posting this in the Integra forum, but it doesn't look like people in there can figure this out. So, I figured I'd have a better shot posting in here especially now that I have a soundclip.

I have a 00 GSR motor in a 00 civic hatch. Every time the car is started cold, there is a rattling/grinding noise coming from the distributor/intake manifold area, but mainly the distributor. I recently did a valve adjustment, replaced the cap & rotor, and spent quite a bit of time making sure nothing is loose and rattling (no heatshields, etc).

I recorded the sound as an MP3 file, about 1.5mb / 1:40 mins long.

Right Click, Save As

Listen to the whole file if you want to hear the whole progression of how it becomes audible. To hear the actual noise, it gets really audible after 1:10 or so. Also, the part where it gets audible, the camera is right above the distributor which is where the sound is the loudest. Again, the sound went away completely as soon as the car was warmed up.

Here are the quirks of the noise:

1. The noise is only there when the motor is cold, which requires the car to go into the warm-up mode (i.e. higher RPM at idle). The noise is not there immediately after the car is started,

2. The noise disappears instantly, as soon as the car is out of the warm-up mode (i.e. the RPM drop from higher to regular idle speed and the noise goes away as soon as the needle drops.

3. The noise sounds like a mix between electrical discharge and the metal ball rattling inside a can of spraypaint.

4. The noise is not rhythmic and does not sound in-sync with what the motor is doing - rather, it's kind of happening on its own.

Can someone please tell me what the hell this could be???

TIA

 

i have a b16a2 with the exact same sound/problem, and it goes away when car has warmed up.

i adjusted timing, valve adjustment, checked for loose parts, did rod knock test, replaced dizzy, no codes thrown.

i think it mightb e the LMA's that are shot/loose, so i might try replacing those. does ur car blow blue smoke wot? i know mine does.

i would also like an answer to this quiestion.

 

Update: I replaced the distributor with another (used) unit, and after starting the car a couple of times it seems that the noise has subsided quite a bit. I also ran the fuel injector cleaner fluid (seafoam?). So, I still hear *some* churping noise, but it seems to be a lot quieter, and it also seems it's coming from the injector that is closest to the distributor.

Unfortunately, I had to pull out my tranny so I cannot start the car (for now) to test it further. I should have the tranny back in the car over the weekend, so I'll do some more testing then.