Hi,

I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX with relatively low 140000 miles. It is running fine, but it produces some symptoms which really annoy me. Could you please write me, if you have any ideas what is happening?
Here is the list of all the symptoms, I don't know whether they are connected or not:
- Tachometer jumps up-down (in this order) 100-300 units above 3000 rpm.
- Clicking sound around the timing belt while in parking gear with the period of approx. 3-4 seconds.
- Tachometer constantly jumped (on all rpm) in the winter, when the outside temperature was around 20 degree.
- After starting up the engine in the winter (below 32 degrees), in the first 5 minutes I have always heard some sizzling noise (from friction?) around the engine.
- The engine stalled last week after driving for several minutes; the battery check light came on and the engine didn't want to start. After 5 mins of trying, it suddenly started.
- Last week I made a roadtrip of 1000 miles. The mileage started with 29mpg, but now the car is doing 34mpg. What could have happened?

Please write me if you have any ideas what's going on! Thanks

 

When was the last time you had the timing belt changed?

 

It was changed last year April.

 

It seems like something wasn't done correctly if sounds are emminating from the timing belt area. If you had the work done at a shop, you might want to take your car back and have them check the belt. Of course, it could be one or more other reasons, but that ticking sound shouldn't happen, even when ambient temps are cold.

 

I am not sure that it is coming from the timing belt, but it is definitely coming from that area (right side of the engine). Timing belt should be checked, though! Thanks