Hi guys, I just bought my first ever Honda! Im so excided as I have always owned Gm vehicles and I am so tired of replacing heads and intake manifold gaskets Anywho its a 1998, it has about 164k miles on it. For the most part its only issues are cosmetic, Paint, seats etc. It did have warped rotors but had them surfaced and its all good now.

My main question is that when I cold start the Honda, it has a very noticeable tick/knock. When the car warms up it for the most part goes away, maybe just not as noticeable im not sure. Little bit of extra info, when revving the noise is quite when it idles down it gets louder. I did some searching and people say its lifters needed adjusting, possible piston slap? Also herd its the injectors. Lots say its normal for Honda's, as this is new to me it makes me worried, GM don't sound like that. Any idea's?

Lastly with the mileage that's on the car I would very much hope that the 60k maintenance has been done IE water pump/Timing belt etc. Dealer I bought it from was not sure as they only had it a short while. Is there an easy way to check without having to take the whole damn thing apart? The oouter belts all look good oil looks good no leaks etc. I know that its the type of thing to do anyway just to make sure, but im really short on $ right now and do not want to do it if I do not have too.


Thanks again guys.

 

Clearly, you have never owned an '80s 305.

Lifters are mechanical, they need periodic adjustment. It is most noticeable when the engine is cold.

Look for a sticker with the mileage written on it. Look on the timing cover or under hood for it.
If no evidence of a change, you will need to have the timing belts changed as it is an interference engine.

 

Like mike says, you're probably do for a valve adjustment.

If you want, you can remove the valve cover and look at the timing belt as you turn the crank bolt COUNTERCLOCKWISE. You will look for wear on the belt. If there appears to be any types of even small cracks or fraying then it's time for a replacement.

 

Ok so what would be the cause to hear so loudly when cold and for it to quite down so when at Normal operating temp?

 

as the engine warms up the metal expands

 

Great thanks for the explanation. OK so is this damaging? Do I need to have it done like right now or is it something that could be done later when the weather warms up? I swear I had a dodge d50 that sounded the same way and one day "crunch grind clang" and that's all she wrote. Just don't want that happening again Haha

 

if its really loud it could be a leak in the exhaust .. i would use seafoam and look for white smoke leaking at the exhaust manifold gasket or manifold itself

 

If the gap is too large the lifter could hammer the top of the valve causing excessive wear or mushroom the top of the valve.

 

Just to clarify further, when you have a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket, the sound audible of the engine is much louder.