I have a 03 civic ex 2 door 5 speed manual with 1.7L engine (SOHC) and

it has little over 110,000 miles on it. About a month ago I started hearing

this strange noise every time my rpm goes around 2800. This happens in

every gear and it's like a metal rattling noise and it seems the sound is coming

from the front underbody. I recently replaced the timing

belt, water pump, and the spark pulg but the car still continues to make the

noise. I am really annoyed by this sound since I usually shift my gear at

around 3000 rpm but I have been shifting at 2700rpm because of the noise.

I google'd with the title 'noise at 2800rpm on civic' and have read different

answers from different people. Some say it could be the rod bearing yet others

say it might be related to the heat shield. I am by no means an expert when it

comes to this kind of problem. I know it would be hard for anyone to tell me

exactly what is wrong with it without looking and hearing this sound but if you

are an expert and can just give me few options it would be great.

Many thanks in advance!

 

Last year I got a 94 civic and after about 2 months I started hearing a noise similiar to what you're describing. It turns out it was the clutch, the previous owner said he had replaced it recently but it wasn't on right , and 2 of those springs had snapped off completely .

 

2800 rpm is the magic number when the vtec kicks in. Check the vtec solenoid.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I raised my car and actually went uner it and had my friend step on the accelarator for me. I tried to look for where the sound was coming from and at 2800rpm i saw and heard that my heat shield
was shaking badly and that's where the noise was coming from. Then i turned off the engine and took a closer look at the heat shield and found that one of the bolts that are holding the heat shield had eaten the edge of the heat shield so it was loose. I am going to have my friend come over and have him take a look at it since he works at a local auto shop. I'll reply to this thread with any updates on the issue. Again thx!

 

I believe the vtec kicks in at around 3200 RPMs... thats what i read within the specs of that specific motor on wikipedia... I may be wrong though.. good luck on figuring what the noise is. I have the exact same car, and never hear any awkward noises at
2800 RPMs. My first though was that it could be a problem with the clutch. You may end up needing to get a new clutch kit. Have someone who knws Honda's look at it and help you out.

 

if it were me, i'd remove that whole heat shield, or get a huge washer to put on it.
reason why i say this is because i have used washers to hold the heat shields on and after a few thousand kms they start rattling again.

 

From the FAQ
Q: When does VTEC engage on the D17A2 (EX and Canadian Si models)?

- A: 2700 RPM

 

I know what the FAQ's say.... This could be wrong, dude. I'm just posting what I've read, elsewhere.... chill out. haha

 

no worries man, i wasnt freaking out or anything. My buddy has a 04 si (or ex in the US) and his hits vtec around 2700 rpm's also.

 

The funny thing is, wherever I read about it, i see different numbers. At first I saw that it hits at 3700. Then when I joined up, here, I saw that it hits at 2700 rpms. While im looking all over google, I am seeing some crazy **** like... 4500??? 4900!!?? wtf. The there are some dudes over at 7th gen saying that it can kick in between 2500-4500 rpms depending on how much throttle you are giving it. I think this would be a good discussion in its own thread, if people don't overkill it and freak out. haha.

 

Mine used to rattle, too. I just cut the whole thing off. No more rattle.

 

I've had this conversation many times with many people. Everybody says something different. The guys I know that work at honda all say the same thing. They say it's different for each engine but, it should come on when you hit your powerband in wot (wide open throttle). Mine comes on around 2800 leading me to believe my boys at honda. When does yours come on?

To OP: I'm glad it was only the heat shield. While you can live without it, it is there as insurance against heat damage. You should be fine for now but, may have problems down the road.

 

I've noticed it hit at 3200 and 2800. Depends on what gear I am in or how fast I'm going. But one thing is for sure.... Full throttle.

 

I have the same exact problem on my 2004 ex Civic coupe. At 2800 there is a rattling noise coming from somewhere. I had my brother look at it, but he couldn't figure it out without a lift. I guess it could be the heat shield, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to be bringing it in to a local shop soon, and I'll let you know what it is...