Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forum and just bought a '92 Prelude Si (2.3L) 5-speed. Whenever I let off the gas to slow down (even in N), I get an odd rubbing sound from the front end.

Other odds and ends:
- cruise doesn't work...
- a/c doesn't work (was told that all of the freon was drained when they replaced the heater core, needs to be recharged)
- valves need to be adjusted (sounds like a penny rattling the head at times)
- previous owner put coilovers (sleeves) on the front end...feels great in turns, but horrible over bumps...i swear the only dampening is coming from the tires
- Previous owner replaces stock lugnuts with 'tuner' lugs, so the caps do not fit on the OEM wheels.
- Previous owner had the timing belt snap and bent several valves...headwork was performed by a shop and the owner was told that the valves need to be adjusted after 1,000 miles (currently at 600 miles).
- Car tries to cut-off when rolling up the windows and/or closing the roof

Interior is flawless for a 21 year old car...couple of small dents here and there.

Any advice/assistance with some of these issues would be greatly appreciated. Previously played around with mazda 2.0L's (had a 2001 Mazda Protege MP3, 2003 Mazda Protege5, and a 2003 Spicy Orange MazdaSpeed Protege).

Thanks all!
-Chris

 

Sounds like you need to put that thing up on jack stands, have a friend start it up and gas it in neutral to see if the noise is present and at idle. Also try putting it in first gear and go like 10 mph if at all possible and see if the noise is present then, even though this method is frowned upon just be careful.

If you are mechanically inclined, try removing the valve cover to check out everything including the timing belt and t-belt area to see if everything is in good shape.
Here's a good thread on adjusting your valves if you are comfortable with doing it yourself. Goodluck and keep us updated on your issue.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/how-h23-valve-adjustment-2586983/

 

The rubbing sound is an odd vibration, rub...something as the car slows down and the idle drops. It's only when the car is in neutral and I'm coming to a stop...so my assumption is maybe motor/tranny mounts or something in the suspension (tons of rattles and clanks when I hit bumps in the road).

The 'valve' noise comes and goes under acceleration....it's not there when the car is at idle. It's more in the 1500 rpm - maybe 2500ish? Not exactly positive about those numbers, but it starts when I press the gas and goes away as the rpm's go up.

The head was just machined and put on around 600 miles ago, so I would hope it's nothing to do with the timing belt...if so I could have larger issues. I'll definately take a look. I'm looking to get one of those tools to adjust the valves (saw a guy use it on a youtube vid...wrench/screwdriver in one just for adjusting the valves). I did all of the work on my old cars...spring/strut installation, replace a bad turbo, install cams, etc...and after watching a vid on youtube on adjusting the valves, I don't think it's that complicated.

 

Yeah you for sure need to get under that car and poke/ pull around on the suspension and its parts to see if anythings loose or out of place. Definitely check your engine mounts maybe one of them is about ready to go or already is bad. Do you by chance have a front strut bar on your prelude? If so those things can cause all sorts of noises if installed incorrectly.

And please do check that your timing belt is good and not shredded into pieces, just for some piece of mind. As for the valve tool those things come in handy, but if you don't have one just use a box end wrench and a flat blade screw driver does the same job and doesn't cost you anything.

 

Will do! I'll poke around on it this weekend and let you know what I find. Thank you for your help!

 

front motor mount is COMPLETELY gone...the motor is being supported by the bolt resting on the bottom of the mount...and the bolt looks like it may be bent. needs new bushings on the front...probably rear as well. I hope to be able to replace the struts, springs, bushings (possibly bearings as well, might as well do them while I'm at it)...and of course, all of the motor/tranny mounts.

 

That's awesome that you found what should be causing your issue. Keep us updated if the noise goes away after you have replaced everything.