Just picked up a Black Gen1 CRV with slightly over 100k on the odometer, 5 speed, 2 owner, no rust for $1600. I have driven it about 200 miles now since I brought it home and there are a few sounds I was trying to diagnose. I do not know much about these Gen1s but I am in the process of reading and now wanting to spend more money :D These videos/sound clips were taken with my 5s so I apologize for the sound quality in advance.

Wind Howling Sound Clip: http://vocaroo.com/i/s1Pqd3KBD83F
--- Leaving the vehicle coast in neutral changes nothing, only the speed of the vehicle. Sound starts at roughly 50mph+ and is directly related to wind speed. I live in VT and when I drive passed large farms, in-between valleys or mountain tops where there are huge gust of wind. The sounds volume is directly correlated to the speed of the wind. Do these Gen1 CRVs have any known issues/has anyone experienced wind noise from the front end somewhere?


Hi Pitched Metallic Noise: --- When I picked this vehicle up, it was roughly -15F outside, and there was a very distinct metallic noise. I could not pinpoint where it was coming from, and it seems to get better with the temperature of the air/engine temp. It is engine speed dependent though, so I that leads me to believe "something that spins" is making noise.


Front End Rattle: --- Very bad rattle from the front end, doesn't do it on turns, and only on a straight away with bumps. Assuming this is sway bar bushing related.


Rear End Whirling Sound: --- Makes a metallic whirling sound from the rear end. Stops when making a right turn adjustment of the steering wheel, big or small. Loudens/worsens when making a left turn adjustment of the steering wheel, big or small. On a straight away it continues to make noise but very faintly.


RT4WD Sound: No Sound Clip
--- When the RT4WD activates, it sounds like somebody is riding the clutch of a car and it makes like a "moaning" sound (assuming from the rear). I was looking into changing the rear over to the newer CRV or Element rears since, from what I am reading... They bought straight up to the vehicle and have minimum modifications if any elsewhere.

 

1.wind noise . Does it have a roof rack? Sometimes the cross bars position creates more wind noise

2. Engine noise
If coming from passenger side it's most likely the pilot bearing or throw out bearing .. Reguadless if you was to do one the other should be replaced also along with the clutch and pressure plate
If coming from driver side water pump and tensioner bearing is the only thing that correlates to engine speed
3 not sway bar bushing but sway bar end links but if you do one might as well do both end links and bushing
4 . I would explain the rear diff fluid going bad and needs to be changed and I say it sounds more like a tires rubbing against something at slow speed type of sound

 

1: It does have a roof rack, but just the bars. No keys were included, and I have to get it off without damaging the CRV. I will start there before removing anything else.

2. The sound emanates from the drivers side. I was also thinking water pump related but I guess I should also consider the AC and alternator.

3. Yeah, once it gets somewhat nice out and I jack this thing up. I will replace everything that is worn out.

4. Worn fluid explains both the clutch riding groan, and the whirling noise?

Also had another question, maybe you or someone else can chime in. Is there a interchangeable parts list that fit the gen1 CRVs from other model Honda/Acura?

Only things I found so far is, EK Engine mounts, Prelude Rear Spindles/trailing arms for going rear disk, EK SI Rear Bracket. Really looking for suspension, and brakes but anything is fine with me at this point.

 

its very rare for the alternator to make that much noise ..i personally never heard an alternator bearing go bad enough to make noise..the easiest way to rule the ps pump alternator and ac is to remove the belts which is the "free" way to diagnose from which the noise is coming from first start with removing one belt at a time

yes the worn fluid is thr main culprit for the rear diff noise usually ..the noise comes on when the pump is engaging the rear wheels

as for suspension parts..ther are crv specific suspensions already made for the car.. no need to hybrid anything for it... if you want to cross reference part numbers check out majestic honda

as far as brakes its the same as itr accord and odyssey ..to upgrade would be to the legend twin calipers with legend bracket and legend disc
its what im doing ..some argue the single piston is better ..and thats why the itr has them..but i think with the weight of the car the twin piston calipers should hold up a bit better from fade and warpage since the legend disc are more stout in thickness

 

--- Thanks for your help. I have tons to learn coming from the EK/EG/DC world.

Just found this little gem too: RD1 CRV Performance Parts List - First 1st Gen 96 97 98 99 00 01

 

So I was driving home after work (post reading your input) and I turned my head sideways and put it close to the windshield. Directly above me I heard the noise! So I pulled over, popped off the roof rack (that I thought was locked and had no key to) and no more noise.

I couldn't believe that it was that!

 

I have definitely seen multiple alternators make noise... even the one on my CRV got replaced due to bearing chirp even though it was fully functional. Water pumps don't tend to make noise (but they definitely can), it's usually the timing belt tensioner if anything.

IIRC you go with Prelude rear trailing arms you will lose the RT4WD no? I made a rear disc conversion kit for the first gens, my write up is on here. I tried using Legend stuff and it wasn't as good as Prelude fitment wise. What most fail to realize is the CRV already basically has Prelude brakes on it aside from the rear drums...

There are other people doing Brembo conversions with multiple pistons too. Many options start popping up after other people pave the way and do all the hard work LOL!

1st video - I would guess power steering, but it's hard to tell... the spot you should have stopped at you walked right by it LOL!

2nd video - Sounds like typical sway bar knock to me, check bushings and end links.

3rd video - Can't hear much aside from what sounds like tire hum. Since you need to change your Dual Pump fluid anyways to check the rear end noise and start there first. It could be a wheel bearing going bad.

 

ya , im assuming that your isnt the oem style ,i figured out that noise when i adjusted my cross bar to the oem spec location and wind noise like no other...but it really comes down to where ever the cross bar is foxed point is where you will hewr it .. the further away from over your head the less you will hear..good job on checking that out

 

--- I made a new video of the metallic squealing noise, it isn't very good though since it has been pretty warm up here in VT lately. It snowed today though, and the high of like 25f, so I will make another video when it is warming up after work. I will try and upload it shortly. Now that I removed the roof rack, and that horrible loud wind drone is gone. I am now noticing a shaking at low speeds/slowing down to slow speeds. Seems to go away at around 40mph, and is worst from 10-30ish mph. Feels like im running over rumble strips, maybe its more of a shimmy than a shake. Was thinking maybe ujoint failing, or my snow tires (don't have summer tires yet either to swap out).


--- Think it is a just a Yakima roof rack? Mounted in center of drivers door and center of rear door. I don't like it on the vehicle anyways so no worries. Will sell it and put that towards some new tires or parts.