I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX, single cam with 145,000 miles. I changed the timing belt awhile ago and ever since then I have had this pinging/rattling noise when I accelerate. The issue seems to be worse when the gas is low. Sometimes its goes away, and then other times its really bad. The acceleration is the same so I don't think my timing is off. Is my car possessed? Ha Ha Ha.. Also, my trans has been kicking a little bit when I accelerate pretty hard, but it doesn't when I take it easy. Could this be bad mounts? I had to change the driver side engine mount as well as trans mount. I am thinking about changing the other side. Thanks...

 

Sounds like advanced timing to me, causing spark knock under load.

 

So do i need to retard my distributor? The odd thing, is that it only does it sometimes, and it usually gets worse when past the half a tank mark.

 

It only does it sometimes because the ECU slightly advances timing when the MAP sensor sees a manifold pressure increase (when you open the throttle hard). This advancement of timing may be whats causing the pinging. This problem may be worsened by a weak fuel pump, which loses efficiency when the fuel level is low because the fuel pump typically runs twice as hot when the tank is empty. As a result, fuel pressure drops and the mixture goes lean, causing a ping. The kicking may be from when the ECU retards timing after sensing pinging from the knock sensor, causing the engine to lose a little power and making it buck. Try fully retarding the timing and see what effect it has, and be sure to check your fuel filter and pressure as well.

i could be wrong, but thats my theory.

 

If its been doing this ever since you've changed the timing belt i'd check the timing there, i suspect its off a tooth or two.

 

So, I guess I should go ahead and work on the timing belt instead of my distributor?

 

Thanks

 

Okay, I am trying to rap my brain around what I need to do. So i take everything off to get to the timing belt, and mark where it is at right now, then pull it off and move it back a tooth or 2? The thing that is getting me is how would does it get off a tooth or 2 anyways? It's on a belt, so how would it get off? I know, I am making this way to hard on myself ha ha..