2005 Honda Civic
4 cyl, 1.7 L, Automatic
260,xxx miles

After starting car in the morning about 2 minutes in I hear a clicking sounds from the engine. Sounds like a stick hitting a running fan.

Fan blades clear of obstructions, nothing looks out of place.

Sounds goes away after about 15 minutes of driving. Increases with throttle, decreases when off the throttle. And I have noticed a slight decrease in power as well.

I am due for an oil change, but checked the level and all is well, just dirty.

Seems to be recent oil/buildup around the head gasket (looks kind of wet), but oil looks fine, not milky, no smoke from exhaust, etc, in terms of a blown head gasket.


Maybe a cylinder sticking and once warmed up the sound goes away?? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

A/C has not been cooling all the time as well since this noise came around.

Possible it's a clutch issue? Maybe a weak magnet issue?

 

I had a similar problem and I was told its something with VTEC and the valves... when was the last time you did a timing belt, and what kind of codes did you get? Maybe similar to mine... lets find out!