I started my car today and it was making an odd noise. It was a clicking noise and sounded a bit like a sewing machine. It increased in rate as the rpm increased, but the pitch stayed the same. I popped the hood and listened... it seemed to be coming from around the valve cover. It's probably been around 30-40k since I last adjusted the valves and I was hoping that it's just telling me that they need adjusting. I was low on oil as my engine (h22a1) seems to use it quite a bit compared to what I have been used to in other cars... which I hear is normal. Anyone have any suggestions as to what this may be?? Thanks

 

one thing I forgot to mention... it seemed to perform about the same... I didn't push it since obviously something ain't right, but I did have to get it home from work... ran smoothly and felt same powerwise, just made the odd noise.

 

You should get a valve adjustment. That sounds like the most likely cause. And a valve adjustment sure can't hurt.

Valves often need to be adjusted more frequently than the normal maintenance schedule if you spend alot of time at high rpm...

Andrew

 

If it happened all of a sudden, it may be a cracked header or exhaust gasket.. What kind of header?

 

i agree with the above. get a vavle adjustment done. Is your idle fine?

 

It's the factory header and gasket. the only mod that the car has is a thermal exhaust. I'm gonna go check my valve clearance right now and see if it needs some tweaking. Will update... thanks

 

check where the factory donuts are, make sure they're sealing, maybe your exhuast put the factory cat/exhuast manifold at a weird angle, and wore out one o the donuts?

 

I think I figured out the problem... I was missing a locking nut off of the top of one of my intake valves. I have not idea where the heck to buy a replacement or what thread pitch it is. It seems to be steel (I took another off and used a magnet to grab it) but feels very light weight. I'm kinda hesitant in going to the hardware store and just buying a nut that looks the same, but I think that is what I'll try first.


[Modified by BryanS, 6:30 PM 9/25/2001]

 

Call your local honda dealer first, and see if they have one in stock, this would be your best bet.now, do a vavle adjustment (check'em all) and adjust as needed.

 

Thank you for all of your help!

I've got all the valves adjusted except 2 right now... I sent my father to a hardware store with one of the nuts from the adjacent valve... assuming he finds something that will meet my need, if there is such a thing at a hardware store, then I should be able to adjust the last two... hopefully he finds one cause the "local" Honda dealer is about 40 miles and I was planning on driving to work this evening.


[Modified by BryanS, 7:13 PM 9/25/2001]

 

****, ****, ****.... no go on the hardware store thing... local honda dealer ordered it for me and will have it on Thurs I had them order one but I think I might try some more distant dealers and see if they stock them.