My 2000 GSR motor (b18c) is making a strange rattling sound.

This sound ONLY happens at startup when the motor is cold, and seems to be originating from the timing belt area.

Once the motor is warm there is NO wierd sounds and I have NOT noticed any difference in the way it runs, seems to run perfectly.

I shot a video on my cell phone you can watch at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh-Htt2UpXc

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

P.S. Sorry for the poor video quality.

 

You need to pop the valve cover off to see if you see anything visually first of all. Could also be worn out LMAs.

 

Sorry to sound like a noob here (even tho i mostly am) but what are LMA's ?

And is it somthing that needs to be replaced ASAP ?

 

Here's some good threads to read regarding the NEW type of LMA...which will not wear out like the old piston type.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-motor-naturally-aspirated-44/%2Anew%2A-b-series-lma-info-2312727/
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-install-new-lost-motion-assemblies-vtec-head-lma-2536305/

I'm about to replace mine in about 2 weeks...just waiting for the parts to show up from majestic honda. I've been driving with mine ticking...though not nearly as bad as yours...for about 8-9 months. They're a cushion that sits under the VTEC rocker (middle one) to absorb the shock whenever the cam lobe hits the rocker, and puts the rocker back in the proper spot. With a worn out LMA, the rocker does not return to the proper spot, so whenever the cam lobe hits the rocker, it smacks against the LMA. This can cause abnormal wear to the cam lobe and/or the rocker face. It shouldn't be ignored, however...at about 23$ a piece, and there's 8 of them...it's not cheap.

 

Wouldnt it be a consistant tick if it was the LMA? This is more of a random rattling noise (and its not consistant with the rpms of the motor) Not to mention when im at operating temperature there is no clicky/rattling sound at all...

Any other suggestions? I will try to get a better quality video in the near future...

 

mmy boys car was doing that and it was the crank pulley key was done

 

X2 for pulling the valve cover off to see if there is anything obviosly wrong or loose.

 

my b16 in my em1 made that noise when my timing belt tensioner bearing went bad.

just a thought.

pull the valve cover and side plastic and take a look.

 

Mine's not exactly consistant. I mean, it just depend where that rocker arm ends up from the previous hit from the cam lobe... if it's somewhere near the tip of the LMA, it's not going to tick, or at least be as loud.

First, take the VC off and take a visual look. Inspect your timing belt and tensioner. If all is good, some people say you can check the LMA while the VC is off...but I kind of doubt you'd be able to. You have to push in the piston in the middle of the LMA w/ your finger...so if your finger can fit down under the middle rocker arm and still be able to push the LMA...then try it. Otherwise, you have to pull the cams and rocker assembly to get at them. There should not be any "slack" in the piston, it should come right back up after you push it down...if it's slow, or doesn't return to the highest position, it needs to be replaced.

 

My woodruff key had cleaved off part of the end of the keyway on my crank, and didn't sound anything like that. It was completely out of balance, and sounded terrible. But, may very well be!

 

Im gonna get under the valve cover tomorrow on my day off, I really appreciate all the great advice, this site rocks!

 

Let us know what you find!

 

Sounds like you need a valve adjustment.. Mine was horrible, probably louder than yours. I had a friend do a valve adjustment, and now she's quieter than ever. Now the only thing that's clicking and sounds like **** is the bearing in the alternator, but that's another story.