from 3krpm to 4krpm in most gears my car seems to soung like it's not running smooth. i first thought it had something to do with a leak in my muffler. But that proved to be wrong since it still persists after a catback install. It sounds like it might be in the firing or something. there is no noticable power loss just a real nasty sound. Could it be as simple as using higher octane gas? I'm only running an intake and the cat?

 

I was told it could be a fuel injector. it's kinda a pinging sound but it's consistent?

 

Does it only happen at those RPMs?

 

yea mostly..

 

Acclerating? Dcelerating? Steady speed? Turning left? Turning Right?
Neutral?

Hood popped and accelerating from use of trottle body?


[Modified by Spade, 10:10 AM 8/5/2002]

 

under steady acceleration or cruising speed. turning has no affect.

 

Have you tried with the hood up?
Then you might be able to tell where exactly the sound is coming from.

 

no not yet. but I definatly will. I guess that would help huh...

 

It's all good Grimm....at least you are willing to learn...


Spade who just learned something as well and feels just the same.....

 

hey tanks again Spade you especially always seem to pull thru

 

just let me know when you do the under hood test so we can knock this out.

 

will be doing it in about 45 min.. Smoke Break...

 

YO YO! I know what it is...

I just had the same problem.. .It sounds like it's coming from the valvtrain... BUT IT's NOT!

Do you have aftermarket headers? I have DC 4-1's, and after bringing my car to acura they found out that it was the header jittering against the oil pan...

Solution: Go to auto shop, and buy header heat wrap... Wrap it around the header right under the oil pan ...


My old simptoms: Only around 2000-3000 RPM's it jittered... SOUNDED SCARY! It sounded like it came from the engine... When the car was just started in the morning it was esspecially bad... So if you have simmilar symptoms... Get on your back and check your header clearance... Go get some heat wrap!

-Alex

 

GSR motors have been known to have all sorts of vibrations and sounds coming from the headers, even the stock ones, when the gasket gets old, they will make an annoying sound at those same RPMs.

 

if you have a stock header, most likely the sound is coming from one of the exhaust manifold's heat shields. My wife's GSR still kinda rattles @ 3200-3400 RPM.
Yuri K

 

It sounds like the problem is the aformentioned heat shields. However, if the problem worsens as the car warms up, also check for a crack in the header.

 

the heat sheilds on the cat and in that areas are tight I'll check the clearance between the header and the oil pan. and the heat sheild on the header. It does sound like it is coming from the valve train. Before I leave work I'm gonna have a friend try to locate where the sound is coming from. it is a stock header thanks again for your help...


[Modified by Grimm, 4:38 PM 8/5/2002]

 

Don't rely on your eyes for the heatshield, mine were rattling and there were no visible cracks in them

 

TO check the valve train... I was just given this tip... Take a flat head screw driver... Hold the metal flat head against the top of the valve cover, and place your ear on the end of the plastic handle...(with the car on)... You should be able to hear the cam spinning... Move the screw driver around on teh valve cover.. It will enable you to hear inside the valve cover... So you can hear if one of the valve retainers is jittering... If it's not the header (which it probably is), then you may have compressed a valve spring... If you have no luck bring it to Acura... They checked mine for free... They only charge for labor...

 

I was just gonna say the same thing!
Yuri K

 

GS-Rs are notorious for rattling exhaust manifolds even if everything appears tight. When I first got my GS-R I noticed a rattling sound around 3800 RPMs. I took it a couple muffler places and nobody could find exactly what was rattling. Finally I got so frustrated and annoyed by the noise that I just got a header and viola the noise was gone. My guess is that even if everything APPEARS tight the problem is still with the manifold and heat shield.

 

I examined it last night after work and tried to locate the sound. it definatly sounds like it could (and most likly is) the heat sheild. i haven't tried the whole screwdriver on the vlve cover thing, (sounds like some indian trick) I don't know what I should listen for either. I'm probably just gonna remove my heat sheild is that a hard or bad thing to do?
Oh yea it's a 96 ex not a teg...

 

I have the same peculiar sound from 2~3k rpm. It also appears to be from valvetrain. I had a friend tell me it's my timing belt flapping at those rpms. I don't know what to belive. Although I did notice sounds shortly after I put my DC 4-1 on my gsr. I will also have to check the clearance also. I thought it might have been a leak between the collector and cat. I also don't have the hanger bracket on the header to the block right by where the collector is. Could be an exhaust leak.

Anyone know how to tell if it is the valve cover? I don't have the belt covers off, so I can't really see it. Any help would be great.... thanks!

 

i have the same sound at about the same rpm. I just rebuilt my engine put all new gaskets in and everything is tight as can be including all my belt adjustments. My timing belt however is the culprit I believe and I see it flutter just when that magical rpm is hit and the vibration starts. I can't believe it flutters like that along its long (front) side but that is what is seems to be!! I may never have noticed it when I used to have my timing belt cover on but since the turbo I have left it off. Must have always done this since this is a brand new belt.

Anyone else experience this???

 

yea i removed the header heat sheild nd the problem till exists...
I'll check for clearance but it may be the belt.