Hello,

I have searched the forms and found a couple different thought on the issue of knocking/ticking in the engine and have to ask the question for my situation.

1996 Civic LX (Canadian, winter and summer driven but until this year garaged when parked)
230000 KM
D16y7
'Supposedly' had a tune-up done at Honda in September 07
Previous owners both senior women
New break and fuel lines in October 07

My Grandma had this car for about 3 years and put 1600km on it (yes 1600) but the rad was bone dry when I bought it from her.

My issue:

In this cold winter especially I notice when I first start the car the engine is quite loud knocking and ticking then it settles and after about 5 minutes its pretty much fine to do whatever gently or aggressive with almost no sounds at all. Although lately the car makes this werring sound but I'm 'guessing' its a belt.... Not to good with trouble shooting cars.

Quick summery: Start with knocking and ticking (no vibration felt inside cab), 5 minutes seems almost noiseless. Once warm almost no sounds

Thank you all for taking the time to read this I really am a novice with cars and do appreciate everyones expertise on this site.

Jack.

 

Oil thickens as it gets cold, and my 91 DX hatch does the same thing. If it hasn't had a valve adjustment in a while it could be time. But my car even with an adjustment was still as audible as it always was. No loss of power or strange noises after a minute or so.

Personally its nothing to really be worried about.

 

a valve adjustment might help

 

The car was 'supposedly' serviced breaks and engine tuneup at Honda in late September. Would that not include valve adjustment?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowcivic2k &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oil thickens as it gets cold, and my 91 DX hatch does the same thing. If it hasn't had a valve adjustment in a while it could be time. But my car even with an adjustment was still as audible as it always was. No loss of power or strange noises after a minute or so.

Personally its nothing to really be worried about.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, it's not uncommon for Hondas in cold weather - or any car in cold weather.

Usually it's a lifter related thing due to oil weight, I wouldn't worry about it. If anything just make sure the valve lash is in check.

You haven't owned that many cars before, have you?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thecrackerjack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The car was 'supposedly' serviced breaks and engine tuneup at Honda in late September. Would that not include valve adjustment?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
tune up at dealership is mainly fluid change.and u should have a detail of what they had done to your car in black and white.
of course not. valve adjustment costs about $90 alone

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Syndacate &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You haven't owned that many cars before, have you?</TD></TR></TABLE>
and i agree with u

 

This is the first car I have 'owned' yes. But before this I had a car I didn't own that my parents left to me and it is a 93~95 Volvo ?40 Sedan and it had its issues but not like this....

I have only had this car since September and its quite different (to me) then the Volvo.

This car has the Honda oil in it from the dealer changed 1100 KM ago.

I'll take it in to get the Valve Adjustment done soon and hopefully that fixes it... unless you think its something else?

 

its really nothing to worry about. Now if it was chugging and sounding like its running on 3 cylinders like mine, then u have another issue. F'ing MAP sensor.

 

LOL chugging not yet.

Still has lots of power and is better on gas then most new compact cars.

Seems to go away when its 10+ degrees C' outside.

 

What oil weight did the dealer used? Might be too thick..

 

I honestly think it's a waste of money to go get the valves adjusted. My D16Y7 has 352,000 km on it and has been doing the same thing for the past three winters ("ticking" or "knocking" when cold), and it seems to have no adverse effects.

In general people worry way too much about little noises and rattles and waste their money tracking them down. If you've got fresh oil and it's at the right level, and the car runs fine once warmed up then don't worry about it. And if your belts look fine and aren't all cracked to hell, let them squeel every once in a while as long as it isn't too annoying. These things won't hurt you car at all.

 

I think the knocking you are hearing is piston slap. Which usually occurs in the colder months. Once the motor warms up the sound goes away.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by andy_sayers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I honestly think it's a waste of money to go get the valves adjusted. </TD></TR></TABLE>
most of members from this forum perform diy jobs on their honda. diy and it is free, on d series engine u just need some basic tools.