Hey all...as I recently posted in the intro forum, I'm a new Civic owner. Just bought a used 2000 with 127k on it. I'm using it as my highway/commuting vehicle to save the wear and tear on my lifted Explorer and tons of money in fuel (roughly $1,400 a year, in fact).

I've never owned a 4 banger before, and I'm still getting used to it. One of my questions revolves around engine noise. It's obviously going to run less smooth than the V6 I've been driving for 6 years, but I'm a little bit uneasy that the engine sounds like it's running so rough/loud. Not sure if the timing is a little off, or it just needs a tuneup or what the deal is. I'm still under warranty and am taking the car to my mechanic this weekend to get his opinion, maybe have him perform a compression test, etc. However, I took a video of the engine running and I wanted to get the thoughts and opinions from you guys, the Civic experts.

The video is linked below, if you listen very closely and you can hear the rough kinda knocking-ish sounds. Any advice/opinions/thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLRXaPRn5d4

 

That actually doesn't sound smooth at all. Bump for some diagnostics. I don't know where to begin. It's a D16y8 so it has a knock sensor. Is the check engine light (CEL) on? Does the CEL work? (does it come on when you first start the car for 2-3 seconds?)

 

Ugh, not what I wanted to hear. :\ CEL isn't on, and I will check tomorrow if it lights up upon start.

 

Cams. <--- almost positive, i heard this sound today actually, although it was far worse, and in a neon. But ya thats not too healthy... although i think its safe to say its the top end, and even if its decently bad, its not to expensive to fix (or replace...)

 

Ughh....how much are we talkin, ballpark?

 

We've gotta be sure first.

 

I can't see the video, but with noise from the top of the engine you should start by adjusting the valves and see if that makes it quieter. If they're real loose it can almost sound like a diesel rattling. Unlike most cars the Civic does not have self-adjusting lifters; the valvetrain must be manually adjusted once in a while to compensate for wear.

 

Hobo,

CEL lit up fine this morning upon startup...

 

Any other opinions? How much would replacing the cams/shaft run me? Don't want to be completely blindsided when I get it looked at on Saturday.

 

Do the valve adjustment first, before worrying too much that it's something major.