History: Car had VTC Actuator replaced with Non-Improved part by Honda Dealer back in 2014/2015. Start up rattle showed up again in a few months. Start up rattle occurs about 20% of starts. Honda won't fix it again. I "bump" the starter, build up oil pressure in the VTC system, and this eliminates almost all the start-up rattle instances.
Last week my car was stumbling when I tried to start it. CEL came on, so did traction control. Threw P1009 code. Started fine a few minutes later.
Yesterday, the car gave the typical VTC Actuator grind when I started it (it usually only does it about 10-20% of the time) but this time, it was a longer than usual noise. Going down the highway, CEL and traction control lights on again. Come to stop light, and car is running rough at low speeds. I arrive at destination without too much trouble. Start car 1.5 hours later, and this time, the actuator noise begins AND DOESN'T STOP. Car is stumbling again. I immediately turn off because grinding sound is INSANE. I tried starting it several times, same thing keeps happening: VTC Rattle won't stop. 10 minutes later, I start it and it's running run. No high idle, no weird noises, no stumbling. I go straight home and haven't touched it since.
What do you think??
My local car mechanic says that he's going to check the oil pressure next week and if it turns out within spec, he'd consider fixing it. He also says the journal near the actuator can wear out and regular oil pressure and VTC oil pressure can mix and cause crazy problems as well (things he's seen in Non-Honda vehicles).
He suggest that I buy VTC Actuator, VTC solenoid, timing chain, and tensioners and he'll install but no guarantee it will fix my problem.
Any suggestions or insights??
Last week my car was stumbling when I tried to start it. CEL came on, so did traction control. Threw P1009 code. Started fine a few minutes later.
Yesterday, the car gave the typical VTC Actuator grind when I started it (it usually only does it about 10-20% of the time) but this time, it was a longer than usual noise. Going down the highway, CEL and traction control lights on again. Come to stop light, and car is running rough at low speeds. I arrive at destination without too much trouble. Start car 1.5 hours later, and this time, the actuator noise begins AND DOESN'T STOP. Car is stumbling again. I immediately turn off because grinding sound is INSANE. I tried starting it several times, same thing keeps happening: VTC Rattle won't stop. 10 minutes later, I start it and it's running run. No high idle, no weird noises, no stumbling. I go straight home and haven't touched it since.
What do you think??
My local car mechanic says that he's going to check the oil pressure next week and if it turns out within spec, he'd consider fixing it. He also says the journal near the actuator can wear out and regular oil pressure and VTC oil pressure can mix and cause crazy problems as well (things he's seen in Non-Honda vehicles).
He suggest that I buy VTC Actuator, VTC solenoid, timing chain, and tensioners and he'll install but no guarantee it will fix my problem.
Any suggestions or insights??
Last edited: