Honda cold start rattle

[Triple digit golfer]

Hi all. I had the common cold start rattle (1 second only, then fine) on my 2013 Accord 2.4L. Dealer said it was a bad timing chain tensioner and I replaced. Stopped the rattle for a couple months, but now I hear it occasionally on the first start of the day.

I know that the rattle is usually either the chain tensioner or the VTC actuator. Has anybody seen where the tensioner is replaced and the rattle goes away only temporarily?

Not sure what to do here. I dont care about the rattle, as it only lasts a second or less. My only concern is not damaging my engine.

 

[B1974]

Have you tried using 5w30 in it. Pennzoil ultra platinum is a good thin 5w30, I would try it and used good oil filters with a silicone anti drain back valve. That's what I would start with.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/best-oil-filter-for-2013-honda-accord-2-4l.335450/

 

[Jetronic]

Hi all. I had the common cold start rattle (1 second only, then fine) on my 2013 Accord 2.4L. Dealer said it was a bad timing chain tensioner and I replaced. Stopped the rattle for a couple months, but now I hear it occasionally on the first start of the day.

I know that the rattle is usually either the chain tensioner or the VTC actuator. Has anybody seen where the tensioner is replaced and the rattle goes away only temporarily?

Not sure what to do here. I dont care about the rattle, as it only lasts a second or less. My only concern is not damaging my engine.

Isn't replacing the tensioner or actuator fighting a symptom? like having a brain tumor causing a headache and using Tylenol?

What did the old tensioner look like? Was it worn, broken, or gummed up?

 

[Triple digit golfer]

Isn't replacing the tensioner or actuator fighting a symptom? like having a brain tumor causing a headache and using Tylenol?

What did the old tensioner look like? Was it worn, broken, or gummed up?

i wasn't aware that either is a symptom of something else. It was broken.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I don't own a KA24 but I am still looking for buying one in my next +1 car, and my research is the start up rattle is most commonly the VTC. Either replace the whole gear - which everyone says will last some amount of time but the problem was never truly fixed so will come back eventually - or replace just the spring - which has mixed reviews. Supposedly its only the spring that breaks?

Search KA24 VTC rattle here or on youtube and you will get a reasonable number of hits. This one I thought was decent - its a DIY guy that seems to explain things well. He just does the spring. The gear is a little more work - you have to loosten the chain and immobilize it at TDC so you can get it back together right. Lots of vids.

 

[Triple digit golfer]

Have you tried using 5w30 in it. Pennzoil ultra platinum is a good thin 5w30, I would try it and used good oil filters with a silicone anti drain back valve. That's what I would start with.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/best-oil-filter-for-2013-honda-accord-2-4l.335450/

Is that actually fixing a problem or preventing future ones? I don't mind the noise. My only concern is the health and longevity of the engine. Will changing oil have an impact on that?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Is that actually fixing a problem or preventing future ones? I don't mind the noise. My only concern is the health and longevity of the engine. Will changing oil have an impact on that?

My understanding is the rattle tells you the VTC isn't working correctly, or at least not completely correctly - so rough idle, use more gas which causes more problems than just the cost, etc. That is what I have read at least - perhaps its not really a big deal if your VTC doesn't work exactly?

 

[LongTime_Lurker]

If it was a permanent mechanical flaw then you would expect to see symptoms during the first start of the day and every restart. If it is related to oil drain back, then you would notice the noise during the first start of the day while having quiet restarts.

I wouldn't throw parts at an engine if gravity is pulling oil from the top end while stationary.

 

[Exhaustgases]

i wasn't aware that either is a symptom of something else. It was broken.

What about it was broken?

Isn't replacing the tensioner or actuator fighting a symptom? like having a brain tumor causing a headache and using Tylenol?

I'd say yeah the symptom it is fighting is crappy engineering and parts manufacture, all that is now the norm in this modern automotive world, with all the auto manufactures, ALL OF THEM.
As far as the start up rattle, very normal stuff on CRV's starting at the 2010 years and up to ?
It is most usually the VTC and caused by the week spring that doesn't lock it. Some say it doesn't hurt anything, but I disagree, yeah who knows how many months or years that no damage happens, that added impact on the chain and sprockets can't be a good thing.
The fix is most always replacing the spring.

Here is a long discussion of the problem. That I sort of explained above.

https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/vtc-actuator-talk.228685/#replies

 

[Triple digit golfer]

What about it was broken?


I'd say yeah the symptom it is fighting is crappy engineering and parts manufacture, all that is now the norm in this modern automotive world, with all the auto manufactures, ALL OF THEM.
As far as the start up rattle, very normal stuff on CRV's starting at the 2010 years and up to ?
It is most usually the VTC and caused by the week spring that doesn't lock it. Some say it doesn't hurt anything, but I disagree, yeah who knows how many months or years that no damage happens, that added impact on the chain and sprockets can't be a good thing.
The fix is most always replacing the spring.

Here is a long discussion of the problem. That I sort of explained above.

https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/vtc-actuator-talk.228685/#replies

Thank you. That is a great discussion. I may have my mechanic replace the spring and see what happens.

 

[Exhaustgases]

And what was broken on or with the tensioner?