Hi, this is my first post in this forum.

I recently bought a 2002 Civic EX, 5psd. My first Honda. It now has 2,500 miles on it and a noisy valve(s). I'm pretty sure its a valve, that is making a clacking type sound at idle. Is this normal for Hondas? I'm sure that I broke the engine in properly. I didn't use the VTEC for the first 600 miles, and if I did hit 4,000 rpm it was only for a few seconds to pass a car on the freeway. I never redlined the car and I avoided heavy acceleration for the first 1,000 miles. Yet I still have a noise while idling. Maybe the noise was there from the beginning and I never noticed it?

Should I be worried about my engine? What, if anything, should I check/do?

Thanks

 

Could be a valve or injectors clicking. Take it to a dealer and tell them it has noisy valves- it's under warranty.

 

What I would is take the car back to the dealer and have them check it out since it's still under manufacture warranty.

 

Then they would have to take my engine apart to check. Won't they charge me for labor? I'll keep an eye on it for the next few weeks and if it gets worse I'll take it to the dealership. Is there any real problems that can arise from a noise valve or injector? I've never had a car with such a problem.

 

how's the oil level?

and no you will not pay for labour if there is something defective with the engine/valve train components while still under warentee.

 

It's not a problem - just an adjustment is required for noisy valves- injectors click- this is normal. It is under warranty unless it is a salvage job- just take it to the dealer.


[Modified by fixhondas, 10:37 PM 2/27/2002]

 

Yep, he's right; You won't be charged a penny if anything's wrong with your car under warranty-- Even if they have to switch the whole motor (obviously they won't). Good Luck!

 

don't wait take it in now before something more happens to it.. you don't want them to be able to say you were negligent with your vehicle

 

The oil level is fine. I checked it this mourning and afternoon.

So if a noisy valve is not taken care of it will become worse?

 

Yes.

 

yes, the 02 Civic motors clatter more than previous years.. and trust me..they all do it.. Does this valvetrain noise cause a problem? .. I doubt it.. just a another characteristic of a newly introduced motor... To be on the safe side, take it to the dealer to have it checked out, its under warranty and won't cost you.. I look at a dozen of these a day and it doesnt seem to pose any threat of damage...

 

No, the noise is only noticeble at idle, and you have to be outside of the car to hear it.

I'm taking it in Tuesday.

Thanks for the help.