Last weekend at the autocross, my car starts making a slight knocking/ticking noise as soon as I get it parked in grid- literally 5 minutes before my first run. At first I thought it may be misfiring but it doesn't quite show the symtoms (the RPM's are stready). I haven't yet got a CEL either.

I really don't have a good way to describe the sound. It basically sounds similar to the noisy valvetrain our cars have but louder. Also, it increases with the speed of the engine. The sound is definately on the driver's side of the engine, around the crank pulley/power steering pump area.

The vtec is non-operational. It's engaged a few times at 6k like normal, but for the most part it's not working 90% of time.

Background:

My '97 is 100% stock with 82k and has never had any mods and has never had any engine work performed. I'll soon be replacing the original timing belt, water pump, and tensioner.

I've spoke with a few folks and I've been told it may be the oil pump going out. It's looking like it may be a good idea to go ahead with the belt change and do the oil pump while everything's apart. Apparently there are splines/gears on the pump that wear out and this may be attributed to the vtec problem.


Any insight, experiences, ideas?

thanks!

-Matt (stressing down in NC)

 

sounds like perhaps a timing issue or maybe the oil pump if isnt providing enough pressure for vtec to activate...

 

It would be great to get a video of the engine bay.

If VTEC isn't operating, than whatever the problem is affects oil pressure as well, so possibly an oil pump issue, which could damage your engine severely, and that noise might just be a slight rod knock making itself appearant.

 

I've had someone suggest the vtec solenoid going bad. Has anyone experienced this by chance?

 

The solenoid itself rarely fails. What usually happens is you get debri caught in it from dirty oil. Take it off and clean it, and you can test using the procedures in the Helms.

 

i am experiecing the same thing.....

is there any leaks???

i just came across that sound just like you described....sounds like valvetrain...and get's louder when you either rev or go faster.....

i do have some type of oil leak...somewhat like a water pump that leaks out....

 

Yeah it sounds similar to what my 97 has been doing lately (near stock, 114K). I had some misfiring issues where it ran like crap, lots of backfiring, a CEL for the map sensor (I was like WTF?), and really weak or sometimes non existant vtec. Its running decent now for the meantime.

Come to think of it, I'm kicking myself for not doing the oil pump last year with the timing belt and water pump...

 

like mentioned on the other site...your on a stock/un changed timing belt, and more than one person has mentioned oil pump.

i give my advice on the other site...

 

just hope you didnt spun a bearing. jad that problem that sound like a metal to metal contact and as the rpm rise the sound gets louder.