Honda Valve Noise - Do I need a Valve Adjustment?

[R18Civic]

The last few weeks I've noticed a metallic rattling noise coming from the front of the car. Today I decided to pop the hood take a listen.

This is what I met:


I've heard newer Hondas making this noise while idling in the parking lot but based on how loud mine is I'm concerned I may need a valve adjustment.

Engine - R18
Car - 2012 Civic
181k miles on the ODO

 

[CharBaby]

Very possible! Have you ever done a valve adjustment on an engine?
If not, YouTube on how to do a valve adjustment.

 

[R18Civic]

Very possible! Have you ever done a valve adjustment on an engine?
If not, YouTube on how to do a valve adjustment.

If it does I'll be taking to my mechanic. Not risking messing this one up.

 

[R18Civic]

Welp I just started her up after letting the engine cool down and now it's quiet as can be. I'm a little confused. Can a warm engine experience more valve noise than a cold one?

 

[ctechbob]

It might be the purge valve/EGR system. Those can be notoriously noisy. Does the noise completely track with RPM?

About 21 seconds into this vid is one of my V6 cars clacking away.

 

[joegreen]

My 02 accord has had noisy valves for 70k miles. Its a known noise on f series honda motors. Its normal. I adjust the valves every 60k miles. The engine is quiet when cold and noisy when warm. Idk maybe your civic engine is similar

 

[Analog-1]

We have plenty of Honda customers that have never adjusted there valves. These vehicles have 280-300.000 Plus on them. They might clatter a bit but it does not seem to effect anything. Can't hurt to adjust them providing the tech knows what he is doing.

 

[twX]

Welp I just started her up after letting the engine cool down and now it's quiet as can be. I'm a little confused. Can a warm engine experience more valve noise than a cold one?

Yes. When an engine is warmer, the cylinder head and valves will both expand, but the aluminum head will expand more than the steel valves, increasing the valve clearance. Usually it's loose valves that make noise.

This applies to when the engine isn't running, or has just been idling a short time. Once the valves get a lot hotter than the cylinder head, they'll expand more than the head, the clearances will tighten up again, and they may quiet down. At idle, the valves might not get hot enough for this to happen though.

 

[meep]

Tappy valves are happy valves.

Tight valves are bad.

 

[ctechbob]

Tappy valves are happy valves.

Tight valves are bad.

What he said. If they're making noise they're too loose and will not burn.

Although, it is a 4cyl car, it is super easy to pull the valve cover off. It would be worth taking a peek and at least checking that there's nothing really bad off. While loose won't burn, really loose will repeatedly hammer on parts that don't really need to be hammered on.

 

[wlk]

If you haven't adjusted them it needs it. Do mine every 100k which when then should be done. Easy to do, no need for a mechanic. Like above said you want noisy valves as quiet ones will burn

 

[R18Civic]

Here's the cold start

 

[Nessism1]

If there is any doubt, adjust the valves. Even if the PVC or whatever is the actual cause of the noise, adjusting the valves is never a bad thing.

Does the engine in question use threaded screws and locknuts for clearance adjustment. If so, it couldn't get any easier.

Edit: apparently the R18 does use threaded adjusters.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

We are currently owning two of the 5 Honda Accords we have owned since the 90s and I have not once done a valve adjustment. I probably should have but got away without it. The 2002 we had was noisy but we kept it 18 years and 180,000mi before we gave it up. I may end up doing it to the 2018 we now have as it is a bit more noisy than I like. I have changed out the PCV already.

 

[R18Civic]

This is a kicker. My mechanic who also happens to be a former honda tech says he wouldn't do it until its time to change the timing chain. To much stuff to take apart.

 

[Nessism1]

Is timing chain replacement part of scheduled maintenance?

 

[Nukeman7]

This is a kicker. My mechanic who also happens to be a former honda tech says he wouldn't do it until its time to change the timing chain. To much stuff to take apart.

You need to find a new mechanic. Honda calls for valve adjustments to be performed every 100,000 miles. No service interval for the timing chain unless it exhibits excessive wear or impending failure. Expected design life of the timing chain is over 300,000 miles per Honda.

 

[R18Civic]

Is timing chain replacement part of scheduled maintenance?

I thought it was for the lifetime of the motor.

 

[R18Civic]

Yeah I'm going to have my Aunt contact her mechanic. He is a master tech and also worked at a dealership for years.

 

[Mechanician]

Yeah I'm going to have my Aunt contact her mechanic. He is a master tech and also worked at a dealership for years.

That's a great idea, get someone with experience to listen to it.
It's hard to tell from a video - but it sounds too loud to be a typical loose valve.