Strange sound during VTEC engagement -> RESOLUTION in post #40 - Page 6

devore · 04-09-2007, 11:45 PM

I'm just glad cryo suggested it. I was skeptical but it definitely worked and it's nice to hear the engine sound so smooth again. I do wonder if it's a problem with all TSXes or not, to test I think you'd need to rev it up with the heater running, so temp set hotter than it is outside.

I didn't notice the problem the last summer when I bought it, maybe because it was hot outside and I wasn't using the heater. From what I read it sounds like cavitation could cause damage but I dunno if it would when it only happens infrequently.

devore · 04-27-2007, 03:39 PM

So I brought up this new information with my dealer and was sort of surprised by the response, which was basically nothing. I told them that when I turned my heater to LO the sound went away and that it seems likely the noise has to do with the heater core. The service manager didn't offer anything other than to say that Acura hasn't issued any TSBs about it so there's nothing to do. I asked if he thought it would help to convey to Acura this information and he essentially said again that Acura would contact them if there was something to fix.

I've been well treated by the dealer so far and they've spent some time with my issue so I just left it at that. I plan to contact Acura myself to let them know about the problem.

MODS - you may want to change the title of this thread, the "resolution" to the issue is no longer post #40. A "fix" for this issue is to avoid running the heater (usually by setting temp to "LO") but there is currently no true resolution to the problem.

sk1001 · 09-24-2007, 08:56 PM

I think I may just just picked up the same problem, not 100% sure. Mine does not occur in the VTEC range, in fact only when you flat stick from 3000 onwards or when going up hills. Initially I thought it was glovebox, but then I took it in and they reckon something is up with the radiator. They will not fix it under warranty because they beleive it is due to an accident. Sounds more like a vibration than the whooshy sounds you guys described. Not happy either way.

narci · 09-25-2007, 12:51 PM

Mine doesn't make this noise anymore. It use too..but not anymore. Last thing I've done to the engine besides and oil change is a warranty work on a disconnected PCV tube or something.

sk1001 · 09-26-2007, 09:55 AM

hmmm. I just double read this thread. Some were saying it has something to do with the headshield? I just took my car to my mech and descovered my heat sheild is missing (I bought the car used...).

I'm really quite puzzled!

t-sxinit · 05-10-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsyDoc

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!

DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS PICTURE SAVED ON THEIR COMPUTER?

Mi_Co · 06-15-2008, 09:06 AM

I have road test a lotz of tsx and rsx. Both car are doing the same thing and it is normal. You have no worry about that concern

2K6TSX · 02-15-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-sxinit

DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS PICTURE SAVED ON THEIR COMPUTER?

Any updates on the picture? My dealer told me not to worry about it either, but I'd just like to be up to speed.

SoCaliTrojan · 02-15-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-sxinit

DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS PICTURE SAVED ON THEIR COMPUTER?

This is an old thread...but, if I remember correctly, a similar picture was this:

You can see the parts that were replaced, I believe

deucetsx6sp · 03-11-2009, 12:48 PM

My car just spent a week at the dealer with the same problem. They detached a belt from the pulley that drives the water pump (I think) and the noise goes away. They used "ears" in the engine bay to isolate the noise, and they tried bleeding the cooling system, they replaced the heater core, and they replaced the heater control valve. They said that pretty much took care of it! I tried telling the tech about PsyDoc's experience and he shot me down. They located the cause and they 'fixed' it themselves. He noted that it does it when the heat is on but its gone when the air is low. So, most of the same symptoms, but their solution was different. I haven't gotten it to VTEC yet (because it just sleet/ice/snowed here) so we'll see. Is this something that a guy can verify himself?

If its not fixed I"ll go to another dealer, I guess.

devore · 03-12-2009, 10:53 AM

To me that solution makes sense, because I believe the problem is cavitation caused by the impeller in the heater core. When you have the temperature in your car set to anything other than "lo", the heater core is running. When you rev the motor up high enough, cavitation occurs and you hear that rattling noise.

Do let us know if the problem is totally gone, because maybe there is something in the heater control valve or in your replaced heater core that no longer causes the issue. If that's the case, I'd like to get my car fixed too.

(I don't think it's harmful, but it is definitely annoying. Who wants to have to set their A/C to "lo" so that your engine sounds right?)

deucetsx6sp · 03-12-2009, 06:51 PM

I took the car up to redline yesterday a couple of times and it sounded quiet, my heat was on full-blast (it was around 0 degrees outside), and the car 'seemed' to pull better through VTEC range. So far so good.

leandy22 · 07-27-2009, 02:38 AM

psydoc or anyone who got this problem fixed. How much did it cost? I am out of warranty over 60k miles and this POS is crapping out on me. Automatic door lock remote doesnt engage and I have to use the key to open the door. Along with that my dome lights are not engaging even after changing the bulbs. On top of that I have this whistling sound at certain RPMS with VTEC. What can I do? my email is andy.le@csu.fullerton.edu if anybody has suggestions for me. Thanks guy