Strange sound during VTEC engagement -> RESOLUTION in post #40 - Page 3

robert_tg · 05-09-2005, 09:03 PM

I just wonder if they will just replace the "defective" piece w/o taking mine to VTEC....let me do it

PsyDoc · 05-09-2005, 10:11 PM

Robert,

Not sure about the actual shape of the heat shield....I will ask to see it when I pick it up tomorrow. The A/C thing did not work for me. Everything is real tight in there, meaning all the lines etc. A/C on or off no diff, but the noise was always there. Funny you mentioned Memphis's comment, I just remembered that myself about him removing the heat shield. If you don't want them to mess with your car then ask to go with the tech yourself.
I'm guessing if many people are having this problem, then it is probably a recall issue. We'll see....I'll take pics if I can..

Rob

HondaMan · 05-09-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDoc

Deformed Heat shield and broken weld. Whats up with Honda quality?.....

It's hard to be perfect and the Japanese are not perfect (trust me).

PsyDoc · 05-10-2005, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaMan

It's hard to be perfect and the Japanese are not perfect (trust me).

yeah I know, I know.....I'm just being picky....Actually, I love my acura so far and the customer service has been outstanding at Brookfield.

APOGEE · 05-10-2005, 02:18 PM

Ok. Just got back from the dealer. I went out with the tech and we drove around testing the vtec. It sounded fine. No rattle sound at all. It actually sounded good. Perhaps my car was cold or something the last time I tried this. I don't know. I am going to keep an eye on it and if it happens again try to determine the conditions. I tested it all the way home and it totally rocked.

Regarding my discoloration on the hood that turned to rust. They say a rock dinged the hood and broke the clear coat causing it to break down the paint underneath and rust. I have never heard of this and never had this happen before, but have no evidence or expertise to prove them wrong. So I guess I'm stuck having to go to a body shop and having it fixed before it gets really bad. Totally SUCKS!

Noel · 05-10-2005, 09:26 PM

Rob,

I've made some suggestions to you via PM. Perhaps you should raise your concerns with the dealership in reflect if the replacement heatshield does not fix this fault.

PsyDoc · 05-10-2005, 10:02 PM

Thanks for the feedback Noel and hope you had a nice vacation!

Well folks the dealership kept the car another day. Dean, the service rep said that while they replaced the heat shield, they have had to make other modifications to it because it is still rattling, albiet, intermittently. Apparently the mechanic wants to let the engine cool down completely and do a thorough warm up cycle to see if the expansion and contraction of the heat shield is causing the intermittent rattling upon VTEC engagement.

Yeah, I am a bit concerned that the mechanic is chewing up my clutch (and using up my gas) to diagnose this problem, but I want it on file and most importantly, I want it fixed. Dean said he didn't want me coming back for this problem again. I hope I don't have to.... I'll keep you posted on the bad weld in the back shelf and the mysterious noise.

PsyDoc · 05-10-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APOGEE

Ok. Just got back from the dealer. I went out with the tech and we drove around testing the vtec. It sounded fine. No rattle sound at all. It actually sounded good. Perhaps my car was cold or something the last time I tried this. I don't know. I am going to keep an eye on it and if it happens again try to determine the conditions. I tested it all the way home and it totally rocked.

Regarding my discoloration on the hood that turned to rust. They say a rock dinged the hood and broke the clear coat causing it to break down the paint underneath and rust. I have never heard of this and never had this happen before, but have no evidence or expertise to prove them wrong. So I guess I'm stuck having to go to a body shop and having it fixed before it gets really bad. Totally SUCKS!

Glad to hear the "noise" is gone, let me know if it comes back. Sucks about the paint though........

Noel · 05-10-2005, 10:14 PM

Rob,

They shouldn't be pushing hard to fix whatever problems unless speed or RPM related. If they don't fix, raise my suggestions to them.

PsyDoc · 05-11-2005, 09:01 PM

Hi guys,

FINALLY an answer to that crazy ball bearing, sucking, wooshing, scratching noise......Turns out it was not the heat shield at all but in fact the flex head attachment (not sure the exact name) below the exhaust manifold. I have attached a pic and circled the culprit.. Apparently the springs and donut that hold the flextube together are no good and they are rattling when engaging VTEC because at that RPM that portion of the tube is being forced down causing the rattling. They replaced number 12 (E-4, the graphite composite donut) and 13 and 14 (springs and bolts) as circled......No problems now what so ever. The heat shield was not distorted as originally believed (a ploy to buy time I think) but either way the sound is totally gone. Guess what...the parts manager told me this IS a recall on RSX's. He thinks it is a matter of time before the TSX's are recalled for this issue. By the way, you can use (according to the mechanic), parts from an RSX Type S to repair this issue. Please if you have this problem, have the dealer check this out and bring in this diagram to show them specifically. I love reving it up now...smooth and silky baby!

Joker · 05-11-2005, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the update PsyDoc!!

Joker - who is glad you got her fixed

PsyDoc · 05-11-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker

Thanks for the update PsyDoc!!

Joker - who is glad you got her fixed

Thanks! I hope this helps you all out cause it is apparently NOT normal. If they don't believe you or give you a hard time call Brookfield Acura and have them speak to Dean, the service rep. He'll straighten it out!

APOGEE · 05-11-2005, 09:13 PM

Hey that's great news PsyDoc! Glad to hear that it turned out ok. Finally!

PsyDoc · 05-11-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APOGEE

Hey that's great news PsyDoc! Glad to hear that it turned out ok. Finally!

Yeah, thanks! They also fixed the bad stamp weld in the back, that was driving me crazy....And then I was driving away and heard this other crazy squeek....Turns out all of the repairs and the techs and mechs in and out of the car stressed the seat springs in the lumbar region. They needed to take the back off the seat and oil and place felt between the springs and the seat. But when all was said and done, the car was quiet as a vault! Finally!

robert_tg · 05-11-2005, 11:40 PM

that's awesome Doc ! mystery solved. I must say that Service is very impressive.
Hope they'd issue the recall soon.