2018 Honda Fit VCT rattle

[malibuguy79]

My wifes 2018 Fit sport has just over 60k now.

The last couple years it started a rattle, typically after a long parked cold start. I figured it was vtec related.

Decided to do some digging and yes its apparently the VTC gear. After more digging I am getting conflicting answers if it was ever updated, some say it doesnt even fix it and it comes back. Also some comments about stretched timing chains. And this was on cars with even less mileage! Then there is some reports of other models with over 200k with no additional issues arising from the rattle.

Kinda disappointed in Honda tbh. I got her this car to essentially forget about it for 200k lol.

I do not recall if it did this before warranty ran out. We had an AC issue we tried to get addressed under warranty and they wanted 2k to look at it. YFR. Turns out it somehow had some air in the system, all it needed was a to be vacuumed out and regassed. My buddy did that for $60, and its been great.

I do wonder...the factory oil filter ADBV is always pliable...yet thin. It did make the noise with a Champ XL (that I ran for 2 intervals) iirc but they had nirtle ADBV.

Anyways I am hoping someone can shed more light on this for me. If replacement is needed, Id be doing it myself.

 

[mosaud1998]

My dad's had the cold start rattle for 60k~ miles (the car was out of warranty at the time). I think he's got 125k~ miles now. I've heard people have replaced the timing chain tensioner but the noise comes back after a while. I spoke to my mechanic who's an ex-Toyota/Honda technician. He said the real way to get rid of the cold start rattle is to replace the timing chain. He charges about 1200 to do the job. I haven't noticed anything crazy in terms of the chain stretching since the rattle. So, not sure if dad is going to have it fixed or not.

 

[millerbl00]

There is a fix. I got mine fixed it never came back. Check the dealership for a warranty extension.

 

[mosaud1998]

There is a fix. I got mine fixed it never came back. Check the dealership for a warranty extension.

What was the fix? Timing chain tensioner?

 

[millerbl00]

No, The VTC "gear" is replaced. Its a whole unit. Like a gear inside a gear. There is some good youtube videos on it.

 

[mosaud1998]

I got off the phone with my mechanic. Here's the kit that he has been using over the years on the K24W1 engines:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=14048621&cc=3294155&pt=5756&jsn=935

 

[millerbl00]

Dont think you need all of that, Just the VTC "gear" system. Honda may warranty this.

 

[mosaud1998]

Dont think you need all of that, Just the VTC "gear" system. Honda may warranty this.

For the K24W1 motors? The car is 12 years old. Idk if Honda will actually cover this.

 

[millerbl00]

It was a known problem. They did mine.

 

[mosaud1998]

It was a known problem. They did mine.

Hmm, maybe I should call Honda USA? I know I contacted them a couple of years back about the rattle. They wouldn't do jack about it.

 

[millerbl00]

Best bets visit a dealership. They will diagnose and hopefully agree and repair

 

[martinq]

I thought this problem had to do with a weak spring in the tensioner or something? I remember watching a YT on it.

 

[millerbl00]

The VTC locking pin breaks. Easy fix. See what the dealership says.

 

[mosaud1998]

The VTC locking pin breaks. Easy fix. See what the dealership says.

Take it to a Honda dealership and pay for a diagnosis.

 

[millerbl00]

diagnosis is free if its the locking pin

 

[mosaud1998]

diagnosis is free if its the locking pin

It's $160 per my local honda dealer for a diagnosis.

 

[millerbl00]

If the diagnosis shows its the vtec actuator it will be refunded. I went around and around with Honda this. Stay persistent and they will fix it.

 

[Oillover]

I also had the issue on mine. Car only had 37k miles on it and the repair was covered under warranty.

Since then I've cut the OCI's down to 6 month intervals using 5/10w30 (alternating with the weather).

It's been 3 years since the VTC change and it's been running like a swiss watch.

I attribute the VTC failure to a combination of:
1. Direct fuel injection causing the oil to prematurely lose it's protective characteristics
2. Small oil sump (3.5 liters with filter)
3. Extended OCI's (when following the oil life monitor on the dash)
4. 0w20 falling out of grade with excessive dilution (from being DI).

 

[millerbl00]

Mine was NOT DI and it happen. Just poor manufacturing.

 

[mosaud1998]

If the diagnosis shows its the vtec actuator it will be refunded. I went around and around with Honda this. Stay persistent and they will fix it.

I'll talk to my dad and see if he wants to pay $160 to have our local Honda dealer diagnose it or change out the Cam chain tensioner himself and switch to 5w-20 instead of 0w-20. Also, change the oil every 6 months or 5k miles vs following the maintenance reminder bs.