Engine pinging/knocking

[mcabutti]

The motor of my 2009 TSX automatic makes a knocking/pinging noise around 4000 rpm when accelerating. Anyone else have this problem? Any fixes?

[ex-rotary owner]

are you using 87 octane?

[MMsTSX]

yes, many people have this problem.
I've personally read of maybe 15-20 cars with this problem.
the cars were taken to Acura, Acura techs are aware of it,
the big boys were brought in on this issue, and the end
result of all I read was that it is a common problem across
many new gen TSX's, there is no fix, it is considered "normal."
Maybe it's the torque converter on the AT trans?

see below:

Originally Posted by oneforall

Hello everyone,
Has anyone with 2009 TSX experienced intermittent pinging? The pinging has no duplicable pattern. It can happen from a stop to take off, it can happen during shifting from 2nd to 3rd. In addition, it has no bearing on whether or not I use premium fuel or regular. There is no MIL on, and all other functions seem to operate properly.
My guess is that, the ECM is intermittently adjusting/caliberating the timing.
Anyone who has or had same or similar symptoms?
Thank you in advance for your replies.

Originally Posted by 26Shaun

Yes! I have the exact same problem. I first noticed it around 1300 miles or so I think. I took it to the dealer around 2000 miles. They heard the noise but did a thorough check of the engine and computer system and found everything operating within spec. The service manager even rode with me to hear it and talk to me about it. I have since then tried three different brands of fuel (exxon, shell, and bp all 93 octane) but I still get the same pinging noise. The service manager called it spark knock and gave me his card and asked me to call or email him with the results of the trials with the different fuels. I just so happened to email him yesterday but have not yet gotten a response from him. I have also talked with Acura Client Services about the issue. I made a thread about it somewhere... anyway if you find out anything from your dealer please let me know and I'll be sure to keep you up to date with anythign I find out as well.

Originally Posted by CybrRdr

I also have noticed that at certain times during acceleration my TSX's engine will knock. It is rather annoying. I though the TSX had a "anti-knock" sensor? I was using Shell 91 octane but switched to Chevron 91 Octane to see if it helps.

Originally Posted by Lou01

Went to Whistler last week to do some riding. On the drive home, under WOT going up hills, I noticed the engine was pinging. Doesn't really bother me all that much but I will take it to the dealership so they can check it out. Maybe I should have kept my 05 Accord Hybrid. :spanky:

Originally Posted by CybrRdr

Update:

Took it to the dealer to have it looked at. 1st thing they did was ask what fuel I was using and how much left in the tank. Told them I only use 91 octane and half a tank left. They topped it off with 91 octane and took it for a test drive. Sure enough the dealer heard the pinging during normal driving conditions. Was told the will need to keep the car a few days to work with Acura and diagnose/fix it. They then gave me a loaner car to use.

Originally Posted by CybrRdr

Picked up my car from the dealer today and this was they're conclusion:

"As for now it is a normal characteristic of the car as per Acura factory tech support, ref# 2683470"

The dealer demo car and the loaner car they gave me to use also pings during acceleration @ around 4000 RPM. Their conculsion is that it is a common thing with "all" '09 Acura TSX's. However, if there is a "solution" I will be advised.

This sucks, I guess I have to learn to live with it and turn my radio up. :annoyed:

Originally Posted by [R]isque'

This is NOT a fuel/pinging problem.

It is an issue with the auto gearbox. We have the same problem over here in Australia.
Rattle sound when accellerating from slow....

Originally Posted by patcracks

damn i get the same thing...was bout to go in for my oil change and ask them about it...you can only hear it when the radio is off at least. I was telling people it sounds like a baby rattle shaker thingy

Originally Posted by stones3131

Thank goodness I'm not the only one with this issue. I got my TSX in June. My first two fill ups were on 87 octane (I thought I can get away with it). I then started to hear the rattle sound. My last three fillups were on premium.

I did go to two different dealers and both said everything looked ok with it and the sound was a "charactersitic" of the car. I drove a loaner out of curiousity and I did hear the sound. Now I only use Sunoco 94 octane in hopes the sound will go away, but yes the sound is annoying.

Originally Posted by OCAC

I've had my TSX for about 3.5 weeks now. Started hearing the random pinging from about day 3. I've tried 91 octane gas from Exxon, Chevron, Phillips/66 and still got the pinging. I recently dumped in octane booster and I still hear some pinging. Maybe it's not a fuel thing .... What ever it is, I'll be taking the car into Tustin Acura in the next few weeks and see what they say.

And like CybrRdr, my '00 Accord v6 does not do that. It's very annoying.

Originally Posted by jiggaman

damn, it sounds like this problem is pretty common already huh?

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

my auto does not ping as far as i can tell, so im kinda doubting acura is telling the truth

Originally Posted by soundneedle

OCAC: Please post back w/what your dealer tells you.

I've had my 09 tsx (auto) for about 3mos now. Pinging from day one. I used shell's highest octane for the first 8 weeks. I've been using chevron's highest octane since then.

It's not the gas. I'm also noticing the ping 10-30mph. But, could be it's easy to hear pings going that speed range(?).

I've also mentioned it to my acura dealer in santa monica. The service rep said he hadn't heard anything from anyone else. That was about 6 weeks ago...maybe he's heard something since.

Originally Posted by GSRTSX

I've had my 2009 TSX since late May and I noticed the knocking and pinging about a month later. I may have noticed it sooner but I was too busy enjoying the ELS Sound System. It occurs every time when I'm accelerating between 2000-2500 rpm. I initially took it back to the dealership I acquired the vehicle from and they told me to continue and use premium fuel only, regardless of the brand. I told them that under the advice of the Acura Sales Manager, I alternated between 93 and 89 octane fuel but I have since only used 93 for my last two fill ups since I noticed the knocking and pinging. They said that if I continue to fill up with 93, it should go away. Three weeks later, I took it back to my original Acura Dealership since the issue continued even after 3 more fill ups with premium only. I filled up with Premium Texaco, Chevron, and Hess with no luck. At first they said that everything checked out okay and that there was no issue. After a test drive with the Service Manager, he agreed with me and said he would have to check with the Acura Representative. After a few days, he called me back to tell me that the Acura Representative was experiencing the same issue with his 2009 TSX and that there is no fix. They think it maybe the ethanol in our fuel in Florida. I called Acura Client Services and they wanted to schedule a test drive with the Acura District Manager but he was on vacation. After over a week of waiting, Acura Client Service called me to let me know that the District Manager got promoted and that I would have to wait for the incoming District Manager. In addition, the original Service Manager told Acura Client Service that if my A/C hit “level2”, the knocking and pinging could hardly be hard. Geez, why don’t I just turn up my radio and that should solve the problem. Anyways, she recommended I get a second opinion. I took my TSX to another Acura Dealership and after over a week with a loaner, they told me that they could not replicate the knocking and pinging. So I test drove my car with the Service Representative and he finally heard it. He agreed that there was an issue but he said there is no fix at this point in time. He said that the Acura Engineers are aware of this issue and are "working on it". I called Acura Client Services again and she said that I will have to wait for a fix as there is none right now. I am under the impression that knocking and pinging will do harm to the engine in the long run. Do I wait for Acura to fix this or can I take a different direction in getting out of my lease? I wanted to purchase this vehicle after my lease but now I’m worried it will have more wear than necessary due to this issue. I’d love to hear some feedback or advice.

Originally Posted by anjalixo

Hi everyone!
I am so disturbed! The same thing is happening to me. i have been filling up with premium gas, yet the dealership states that cheap gas is to blame. I fear that I may not be able to sell this car now. I wouldn't buy a car that made a sound, would you????
If anyone hears anything, please keep us posted. This is nonsense!

Originally Posted by GSRTSX

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the feedback. I spoke to a friend who used to be a Honda mechanice a few years ago and he suggested adding Octane Booster to my full tank of gas (91 octane). He said if it continued, then I know it's not a fuel quality issue and there is something not right with the engine. Well, I added the Octane Booster (STP) yesterday and it continues to knock & ping today. I am very disappointed as I truely like this car. It gets great gas mileage, has decent performance and has all the options I could ask for. My greatest concern is the damage this knocking and pinging maybe causing until they find a fix. Should I really be this concerned or is knocking and pinging not really a big deal except for the annoying noise?

Originally Posted by [R]isque'

It is your auto gear box and NOT pinging.

A few guys here in Australia have that problem, and they have traced it to the torque converter.

Originally Posted by Australian Honda Owner

In Australia your model is released as the Euro . In my case similar to yours, I have a new 2009 luxury Euro ( your TSX) and guess what ...SAME PROBLEM. Only had it 3 weeks, now has 1000 kms on it pinging like mad. Pings at 60KPH pings at 100KPH on the flat. Seems to ping less going up an incline under load. Currently running on Premium (95 octane) going to change to (98 octane on next tank) Dealers here dont have an answer. Taken it in twice. Doest seem to be fuel related. Manual clearly states pinging can damage the engine if left unchecked so would appreciate if you do find a solution to pass it on to your honda drivers down under

Originally Posted by mcabutti

Mine is pinging as well. It seems to be the worst as I am approaching 4,000 rpm. I have an appointment with the dealer (90 miles away) and am wondering if I should cancel the appointment since Acura does not know of a fix. Any thoughts?

[ex-rotary owner]

bleh, mine doesnt have that problem right now. hopefully it wont start "knock on wood"

[Gawrek]

LOL what a post MM

[MMsTSX]

Originally Posted by Gawrek

LOL what a post MM

well, I wish the post would conclude in a concrete answer.
but it doesn't.

best thing I get is that it is not a gas problem.
it may not even be an engine problem.
seems to be on AT only.
seems to be the torque converter.
maybe...

too bad you guys have to go through this though.

[09tsx714]

i don't get a knocking noise.. however during hard accelaration i hear metal shaving noise... i think it's coming from piston ring or something.. it's hard to tell cuz 09 is noise proof..

[oneforall]

Thanks to MMxTSX, and [R]isque' who posted replies. The question I have at this time for [R]isque' is, if it is indeed caused by the TC, what was done to RESOLVE the issue? I mean, did the dealer replace with a new Torque Converter?

[mcabutti]

I called Acura corporate to report the engine knock/ping issue. I was surprised when the representative told me that they had not heard about this issue from very many people. Have most of you reported this situation to your dealer or corporate? What have been their responses?

[07CRV]

u guys arent the only ones having this pinging problem.

i bought a brand new cr-v last year october and it started to ping after 2-3 months. at first, i refused to believe it's pinging coz it's a brand new car! as months go by, it got worst and worst.
3 weeks ago, i finally took it to a dealer and all they say to me is yup... umm uh huh, that's pinging alright. try some premium unleaded. the bloody car is made to run on regular but they want me to use premium.

another reason i took the car in was because the check engine light flashed on me. service guy said are u sure it's not the VSA light? i said im sure!! i know the difference betwen the VSA and the little engine light, im not a moron.
so... they did some software updates to the VSA system anyways and the car seemed to drive better, dont ping as much. car gets up to speed faster and seems to shift faster. definitely huge improvement, but still pings. i call the service guy back and again, he said ummm, try premium and see how it goes.

it's my first honda and it will be my last! i regret moving from toyota to honda. i dont understand why dealers are giving customers such a hard time with this issue. you bought a brand new honda and it pings and they treat customers like... you sure it's pinging?? they look at you like you're so stupid.

[ex-rotary owner]

its been 4 months and 7500 miles, still no pinging here.
i fill up pretty much 89 only @ chevron.

[07CRV]

i filled up with mid-grade 89 chevron last night and will drive it to see how it goes.
when i visited the dealer, first thing out of their mouth is bad gas and asking me if i fill up gas from US coz US gas apparently is really bad. they always blame it on bad gas - always.
it's really annoying and very sad that this is could happen when u buy a brand new honda. i would not be so disappointed if my car was a ford or chrysler or gm.

if you search on the internet, the problem occurs all across the board (honda/acura). it ranges from civics to crv to odyssey to pilot to acura models. i personally know of 5 honda vehicles (including mine - from civics to pilot) that pings and they're all late models (2004 to 2007).

[ex-rotary owner]

well for the first month I used 91 octane at various gas stations. Then I did a little bit of research, turned out 89 octane seems fine. So I've been filling 89 octane @ chevron. If its any help, I drive my car like I stole it LOL. Hey you never know, maybe this car wants to be driven hard.

[07CRV]

Originally Posted by ex-rotary owner

well for the first month I used 91 octane at various gas stations. Then I did a little bit of research, turned out 89 octane seems fine. So I've been filling 89 octane @ chevron. If its any help, I drive my car like I stole it LOL. Hey you never know, maybe this car wants to be driven hard.

i have noticed that if you keep the revs up, it doesnt really ping.
but if you drive like a grandma, it does ping.

i have also read somewhere that some dealers call this pinging normal and have asked some drivers to drive the car hard as honda engines are high compression/high revving engines.
but you cant really drive crv's hard... they're not exactly sports cars.

[ex-rotary owner]

put the pedal to the metal and rev the crap out of first gear dude. CR-V has the option of putting it in 1st instead of D right?