Ok. 2000 Civic EX. D16Y8. All stock, 180k miles.

I know it is high mileage so that may play in here.

Scenario - I took my car in for a simple belt change, valve lash adj., and new wheel stud a few weeks ago. This was the day before Thanksgiving.

I used the same shop I have for 10 years for every major Honda maint. need. The manager told me they were hoping to get out early due to the holiday. I can understand that. I got a call that my timing belt needed changing as well. (not a surprise). I said ok go ahead and change it. The reply was, " We will have it back to you 5 days later, after the holiday." This would not work for me. 5 days without a car, impossible.

"Don't worry about the timing belt, I need my car." Stud and belts were done but the valve lash had not been done. They told me they would save me the double labor, on valves and timing belt. Makes sense.

I got my car back and upon driving, was hearing a clunk sound over random bumps and under clutch load in first gear starts. Due to time constrains I had to wait until 2 days to source the problem. While under the car I found that the Timing cover - Motor mount had not been bolted back into place.

Luckily one bolt was hanging on by a few threads and the other was laying in the lower under body bumper guard. I bolted it back up and problem solved, SORT OF>

I now have a clunk/knocking noise that sounds as if it is coming from the transmission, possibly the throw out bearing or pressure plate??? This happens at low RPM 500-1800 under initial revving from idle or in any gear at lower rpms & under load. (Is gone at higher rpms > 2000

It has also been very cold hear in South Carolina the past few weeks and I may also get the cold start knock. (180k miles not surprising).

I do not have a video, I am changing to 10w-30 today, Timing belt was just changed and Valve lash has also been adj. as of 2 weeks ago (NOT done by the same shop)

This problem did not arise until after the first RUSHED service.

I called and spoke with the owner of the first shop, whom I have known for years and told him my opinion his reply was simply, SORRY! What are your thoughts?

Just need help in better diagnosis/cause of this problem and your thoughts on how to address the situation if it was caused by at fault service techs in a RUSH.

 

A audio clip of the knocking sounds may make the diagnosis easier. To address the situation, even if the verdict is that the first shop was at fault you'll likely not be able to prove it. You're word probably wont do you any good even if the guy has been a friend for so long considering his first response.