Has anybody experienced this problem?

I bought a 2009 Accord EX-V6 in October 2008.
I had driven it 4500 miles before I started hearing a barely noticeable knocking sound coming from the engine. That started happening in mid-January.

As I started paying more attention to it and noticed that as the engine warmed-up, the noise became louder and more noticeable at low RPM (like while driving trying to find a parking space).

I took the car to the dealer and after a couple of days, they told me they needed to replace the cylinder heads! Since they had to order them I took the car back (they confirmed the car was driveable) and waited until the parts arrived.

A few days later, I got a call from the dealear, the parts were ready. I took the car back to service and got a Civic loaner

After three days, I decided to call to find out what was going on. I get a call back and the service rep tells me that the problem was not with the cylinder heads. Instead, they will be replacing the engine short block!!

The car is currently at the dealer service shop. I'll update on future developments... Regards.

 

So is there a question in your post or is it merely a rant. Because I really don't buy it.

There is a TSB for torque procedure of J series heads that might be slightly out of specification but that's it that I know of.

If in fact you do have a defective head, which would manufacture itself in more than a ticking sound, you would be the exception NOT the rule.

 

Sounds like they are doing the right thing to me. At least they want to do the job right. They could have thrown on the heads, and sent you out the door with the same problem. They could have been like Nissan/Infiniti: make you jump through hoops, and endure a year long fight to replace an engine.

No car manufacturer gets every one right. Some of Nissan's much praised 3.5L VQ engines had oil consumption issues that resulted in engine replacements (after a much tougher fight than you had with Honda), and Toyota's V6 engines had sludge issues a few years ago.

 

I just started working for a Honda Dealer just SW of Houston, tx. I asked around and haven't heard about anything like this. I would say you are going to be 1 or maybe 2 of 30,000 engines. So extremely rare, besides, you are going to cause the boys back in Japan a conniption fit trying to figure out the why on that one.

 

I can hear a low-moderate knock while my engine is idiling as well ('08 V6). This concerns me very much and I don't care if it is a rare occurence so don't respond to this if that's all you're going to say. I've seen rarer problems with my previous car. I would like to listen to another V6 for comparison, but I am almost certain mine is knocking. Any word on yours yet? Any CELs?

 

Jesus christ,

If you *think* you hear a knock in a brand new car then take it back to the dealer?! Why the hell would you keep driving it? Who cares if it's a rare issue or not? If you think it's an issue then investigate it.

 

Thanks muffinman! What great advise! OF COURSE I"M TAKING IT IN! I just noticed this recently (this week) and haven't had time to go to the dealer yet.

 

Service Bulletin
© 2008 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved ATB 38871-40685 (0810) 1 of 3
CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.

October 21, 2008

08-017
Applies To: See VEHICLES AFFECTED
Engine Knocks or Ticks at Idle
(Supersedes 08-017, dated September 16, 2008, to update the information marked by the black bar)

SYMPTOM
The engine knocks or ticks at idle. The noise is usually
more noticeable when the engine is warm.

PROBABLE CAUSE
The rocker shaft bridge has excessive clearance which
causes the rocker shaft to rotate and make noise.

VEHICLES AFFECTED
2008 Accord 2-Door V6 A/T:
From VIN 1HGCS22..8A000001 thru
1HGCS22..8A012193
2008 Accord 2-Door V6 M/T:
From VIN 1HGCS21..8A000001 thru
1HGCS21..8A012129
2008 Accord 4-Door V6:
From VIN 1HGCP3...8A000001 thru
1HGCP3...8A060107
2008 Odyssey EX-L/Touring:
From VIN 5FNRL38..8B000001 thru
5FNRL38..8B108822
From VIN 5FNRL38..8B400001 thru
5FNRL38..8B419525
2009 Pilot 2WD:
From VIN 5FNYF38..9B000001 thru
5FNYF38..9B011674
2009 Pilot 4WD:
From VIN 5FNYF48..9B000001 thru
5FNYF48..9B026008

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Loosen and retorque the rocker shaft bridge bolts.

PARTS INFORMATION
Flange Bolt (Use only if a bridge bolt fails):
P/N 95801-08060-08, H/C 4365128
Intake Manifold Cover Gasket:
P/N 17146-R70-A01, H/C 8647315
Intake Manifold Gasket (Pilot 4WD, Accord):
P/N 17105-RCJ-A01, H/C 7956790
Intake Manifold Gasket (Pilot 2WD, Odyssey):
P/N 17105-RCA-A01, H/C 7132293

 

Thanks Ross! This sounds very very similar to what I am experiencing. Just checked my vin and it's outside of the range though. Of course I will still be taking it in. I don't know much about how service bulletins work, but I assume my vin isn't included because they issued the correction before my car was released/initially serviced? Pardon my ignorance. You think it is same problem?

 

Not by far would it be the first time a car had a problem that fell outside of the VIN range on a service bulletin.

 

Thanks again Ross! Great info here.

 

That is a very good possibility on that recall... one other scenario just came to mind. The V6 is made to cut out 2 and 3 cylinders at highway speeds, that causes a rough engine condition, but they compensate with adjusting the engine mounts and noise cancelling in the radio.

If the system wasn't detecting speed or wasn't adjusting, you could get some very rough knocking sounds. I know if you had bought that car from our dealership, our GM would have offered to let you get a new car and he would have dealt with the issue.

 

I got the car back last Friday
So far, it looks good, although is too early to tell.

I remember hearing a comment from the service foreman, regarding the service bulletin Ross 2.0 describes. I understand they took that route first but didn't fix the problem. Then, they replaced the cylinder heads, but that did not fix it, neither. Ultimately, they replaced the short block and seems like this time they nailed it.

I have good remarks on Gunn Honda in San Antonio, they followed-through, paying attention to my feedback and giving me constant updates.

I will keep you updated as the engine breaks-in...

Cheers!

 

I have a '09 Accord V6 that seems to have the same issue as below. Knocking type sound, initially started on cold days at the beginning for a few minutes now it's constant. Engine has 71000 miles so I'm out of warranty. Asked the dealer and with a quick look they said need to take it apart. Any ideas? Couldn't find a recall on this. This is my 3rd Honda and I am very disappointed with the reliability.. whole purpose was to run this with the confidence of no engine issues. Drove a Passat for 180K miles and no issues! Appreciate any insight.

 

I have a 2005 Odyssey with the same symptoms. The knocking was present at idle and at all power settings. The frequency was half the RPM. The dealer confirmed that it was upper engine noise. I performed Service Bulletin 08-017 exactly per spec. This improved the condition but did not eliminate it. The knocking is no longer audible at idle or low-power cruise but it is still heard under acceleration. What should I try next? Repeating the torque procedure? Increasing the torque value? Other? I'm at a loss.

 

I also had an engine knock at low rpm and the engine ran fine and did not burn any oil. I have a 2010 Honda Accord V6 EXL with 105K miles on it. In May of 2015 I had an instance where the Variable Cylinder management stopped working and the engine light came on. I was in the middle of travelling 500 miles home on a Sunday through the mountains in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina . I took it to the dealer on Monday and they replaced 4 spark plugs and updated the computer. It was running fine until I noticed recently that there was a knock in the engine. It was not burning any oil. I took it to the dealer and they said the front cam shaft needed to be replaced. The cam shaft lobe for cylinder 6 was excessively worn and pitted. The mechanic said the cam could have been defective. It cost $1200 to repair. I was just wondering if the cam failure could have been related to the VCM problem last year. I have not been given any satisfactory explanation by Honda. Has anyone else experienced this problem?


I was also told that the timing belt tensioner may be making the noise since the timing belt was due for replacement at 105k. However it was not the tensioner. TB was also replaced for an additional $700 when cam was replaced. I am now concerned about cylinder head damage.

 

i have 2008 Honda Accord v6. Yes, I know the poster is asking about 2009 honda accord v6, so this might help u a little bit. I bought a 2008 Honda accord v6 from a finance dealer on 03/28. One week later, the car wouldnt start. So I towed the car, out of my roadside assistance coverage, to the dealership were I got it from. They took it to the shop for diagnosis, the next day. " i well call u when they find out what causes the problem, said the salesman.
Long story short, they diagnose it and found out that the engine needs to be replace because the timing belt broke inside the engine and cause other problems. It took them 2 weeks; however, they give me a loaner car and repair the problem.
I got the car back on 04/26