2004 7th Gen Euro cruising noises

[Harbournet]

Hi all,

Just bought a 2nd hand 2004 Euro with 35k on the odo....all in all a very tidy car. Only annoyance i have with the car is at 80km/h and above under light throttle application i hear a faint wistle sound coming from the front somewhere....as soon as i take my foot off the throttle it's gone....but even the slightlest pressure back on....it comes back. It doensn't make this sound at low speed or under mid to hard acceleration....just at cruising speeds of 80km/h or so and above. It's an auto btw. Since the engine and drive train are so quiet at speed i thought it may be some belt or pulley noise??....anyone experienced the same thing with their Euro? If so - what was the fix?

Cheers,

Harbour.

[sodhi90]

Does is sound like its in the front towards the passenger side?

[JN7]

im getting the same noise and sodhi, it does sound like its from the passenger sied

[felixd]

hmm its probably just a wind effect lol turn up the music its all gone :D

[Harbournet]

Ya it's coming from the passenger side up front.

[Harbournet]

it's not wind effect - like i said.....if i take my foot off the throttle, sound goes instantly. I hope this ain't an expensive fix...it's gonna drive me nutz!

[sodhi90]

yep i have an 03 5AT Euro and i get the noise on the highway when the car is in 5th gear , only when accelerating and yes it goes away when i lift of the pedal, its like a whining noise. No idea what it is but it annoys me lol

[chrome]

Try this:

With the car park, hood up... turn the ignition key to ON (just before start). Engine must not be running.

Lightly depress the accelerator pedal. Do you hear a high pitch whine/whistle from the engine? Is that the sound you are hearing? That's the electronic throttle motor making the sound and is perfectly normal.

[Bodgy Racing Developments]

che bruh its your torque converter i rekon.

:wave:

[Harbournet]

After some thought about it....only after certain speed...the torque converter locks up in 5th, like in any auto. Therefore this sounds like it must be a noise coming from the torque converter somewhere...? Sound logic?
The car doesn't make noise at any other time, during accelerating or slowing down...or after it kicks back a gear or 2 to overtake. Must be something to do with the final drive after the converter locks up.

Anyone with some idea of how auto's work - feel free to add your 2 cents.

[aaronng]

Changed your ATF fluid yet? If it is a 2004, it would be recommended to change ATF. Personally I'd change it every 2 years. Honda recommends much longer at 6 years.

[Harbournet]

No i haven't even looked at the ATF yet....just got the car yesterday. Could old/low level ATF cause this kind of whistling noise? I hope this is all it is.

Chrome:- I doubt it's the drive-by-wire dc motor...cause then it would be happening all the time...it only happens above 80km/h or so....when accelerating in lower gears or from idle...no noise.

[aaronng]

No i haven't even looked at the ATF yet....just got the car yesterday. Could old/low level ATF cause this kind of whistling noise? I hope this is all it is.

Chrome:- I doubt it's the drive-by-wire dc motor...cause then it would be happening all the time...it only happens above 80km/h or so....when accelerating in lower gears or from idle...no noise.

Personally for a 2004 Euro (I also have a 2004 Euro), I'd be changing all the fluids unless your log books show that everything has been done according to schedule. The only thing that I would do more often is the ATF fluid. 6 years is too long. Do it every 2 years. Our 94 Accord auto which is supposed to have a good gearbox shat itself after 6 years with gentle driving (dad is a fuel miser). We got a replacement box from a write off and started changing ATF every 2 years and the auto trans is still going well now in 2009.

[Harbournet]

hey aaronng - ya according to the service schedule, it's had all it's checks done...only travelled 35k since 2004...so only had 4 services in it's life, including the 1000k checkup at the begining of it's life. I'm sure in that time the fluids have been checked/changed. I checked the engine oil at 1st fillup and it was a clean golden colour...looked like straight out of the bottle. This car has been very well looked after (1 owner, careful old accountant and his wife) which makes me wonder if it's simply a factoy fault that was never picked up. I doubt the old fella who owned it even took it out on the freeway - and if he did, perhaps his hearing was bad?? But im a fussy owner that can hear every bloody rattle and squeek in a car....this faint whistle can be heard over the radio at low volume....and now that im aware of it, it's an annoying noise.
If someone can tell me that it's normal, or a known fault with the toqure converter that is causing no wear or damage, then I'll learn to live with it....but until then the hunt continues for the answer. I doubt Honda even knows (or cares) and if they did, I doubt they would admit to it lol.

[aaronng]

hey aaronng - ya according to the service schedule, it's had all it's checks done...only travelled 35k since 2004...so only had 4 services in it's life, including the 1000k checkup at the begining of it's life. I'm sure in that time the fluids have been checked/changed. I checked the engine oil at 1st fillup and it was a clean golden colour...looked like straight out of the bottle. This car has been very well looked after (1 owner, careful old accountant and his wife) which makes me wonder if it's simply a factoy fault that was never picked up. I doubt the old fella who owned it even took it out on the freeway - and if he did, perhaps his hearing was bad?? But im a fussy owner that can hear every bloody rattle and squeek in a car....this faint whistle can be heard over the radio at low volume....and now that im aware of it, it's an annoying noise.
If someone can tell me that it's normal, or a known fault with the toqure converter that is causing no wear or damage, then I'll learn to live with it....but until then the hunt continues for the answer. I doubt Honda even knows (or cares) and if they did, I doubt they would admit to it lol.
4 services since 2004 is BAD. Even if it did only 35k, it should still have had its oil changed every 6 months because short trips cause buildup of moisture in the engine oil.

Check the log to see if the auto transmission fluid has been changed yet. If not, get it changed ASAP with Honda ATF.

[Harbournet]

cheers for that aaronng - will do. Im going to ring dealer today and ask him if it's been done...and if not change it myself.

Time to buy an accord euro workshop manual to find out how to do it.

Hopefully this will sort out the noise....but if 2 other forum members are hearing the same thing it could be something to do with the actual clutch on the lock-up mechanism. It could just be that these things are noisy by nature? Wouldn't expect it to be on such a refined car as a Honda Accord.

Anyway - ill report back with any change/improvements....if any.

[sodhi90]

I had my ATF changed using Penrite MHP 3 months (6000kms) ago and the noise is still there so i think its just like that by nature but I would be pleased to see if u notice an improvement.

[Harbournet]

sodhi90 - if it's there by nature, im gonna train my mind to ignore it lol! Lets face it...could be worse things wrong with a car eh?

[aaronng]

sodhi90 - if it's there by nature, im gonna train my mind to ignore it lol! Lets face it...could be worse things wrong with a car eh?

For the 2004, I'd still change the ATF regardless of whether there was noise or not. If it solved the problem, then that would be a bonus. If it didn't, then you have just did something to prolong the life of your clutch packs and torque convertor. :)

BTW, use only Honda ATF. Don't use any other brand. Aftermarket brands are Dexron III type ATFs, while Honda ATF is different. You can use Dexron III in an emergency but it is not recommended for long term use, eventhough the aftermarket brand claims that you can use it as a replacement for Honda ATF.

[sodhi90]

For the 2004, I'd still change the ATF regardless of whether there was noise or not. If it solved the problem, then that would be a bonus. If it didn't, then you have just did something to prolong the life of your clutch packs and torque convertor. :)

BTW, use only Honda ATF. Don't use any other brand. Aftermarket brands are Dexron III type ATFs, while Honda ATF is different. You can use Dexron III in an emergency but it is not recommended for long term use, eventhough the aftermarket brand claims that you can use it as a replacement for Honda ATF.

would you recommend I dump this penrite oil and go for Honda asap? its just my car is going to honda tomorow for a serpentine belt and fuel filter, should i tell them to do my ATF aswell?

[Harbournet]

Took my Euro to Honda....and they found out the cause of the noise. Diff.

Turns out if the gears are out even .1mm they will not mesh correctly and whine. Looks like i bought a car from a dealer with a dodgy diff....1 month into a 3 month warranty...not sure of my chances of getting this fixed. But at least i found the cause of the noise...it was driving me batty :cool:

[Bodgy Racing Developments]

time to tell the mrs to harden up and learn to drive stick then do manual conversion :P

[aaronng]

Took my Euro to Honda....and they found out the cause of the noise. Diff.

Turns out if the gears are out even .1mm they will not mesh correctly and whine. Looks like i bought a car from a dealer with a dodgy diff....1 month into a 3 month warranty...not sure of my chances of getting this fixed. But at least i found the cause of the noise...it was driving me batty :cool:

If you still have the 3 month warranty, get it replaced ASAP!

[Harbournet]

Here's the latest......

Honda service at Artarmon (who is looking after the repairs in Sydney, on behalf of the dealer in Armidale) called me this morning and said that he would try to get repairs approved by the dealer. Dealer basically said that they would not cover the repair costs as they would be losing profit after the sale (repair costs at trade prices are about $2.5k). They instead want to try to get Honda Australia to repair it under 'good will' since the car has such low kms. But they also mentioned that if Honda Aus refuses to pay for repairs, they will offer me a full refund on the purchase price....which I'd also be happy with - so it looks like either way I'll be covered.

It seems I've uncovered a pretty serious problem with the Euro...if any of you have that same noise..get your diff checked out...b/c it seems that is the problem. Honda service was trying to stress to me not to be put off by the Honda brand or the Euro for that matter just b/c of this fault. One thing is for sure, I'll be giving any future car I intend buying a THOUGHROUGH work out!

[Harbournet]

Here's the latest, latest - Honda Aus will not pay for the repairs (surprise, surprise) So waiting for dealer to call me back to tell me I'm getting a refund.

Looks like I'll be looking for another Euro.......hopefully.

[aaronng]

Here's the latest......

Honda service at Artarmon (who is looking after the repairs in Sydney, on behalf of the dealer in Armidale) called me this morning and said that he would try to get repairs approved by the dealer. Dealer basically said that they would not cover the repair costs as they would be losing profit after the sale (repair costs at trade prices are about $2.5k). They instead want to try to get Honda Australia to repair it under 'good will' since the car has such low kms. But they also mentioned that if Honda Aus refuses to pay for repairs, they will offer me a full refund on the purchase price....which I'd also be happy with - so it looks like either way I'll be covered.

I hate dealers who don't cover repairs because they fear losing profit. What is the point of the warranty then? I personally would get a full refund, including all onroad costs and stamp duties that you paid out of pocket and look for another car.

[Harbournet]

Just spoke to dealer - they are offering a full refund on the car....im still out of pocket for time lost buggering around, but hey...could've been worse if i had bought private (ouch!).

Soon to be on the lookout for another Euro soon.

[sodhi90]

i have these noises with my 2003 euro with 106k on it and now warranty, doubt they would do it as goodwill. what do you guys think?

[Harbournet]

If you are the 1st owner Sodhi...they may do it. If you need me to tell them of my case also, i'd be more than willing to help you out. It's DEF a factory defective diff!!

[sodhi90]

im the second owner :(, no idea how it was treated b4 me but its drives perfect except for that noise....

[Harbournet]

I returned my car to the dealer - I think I'm going to buy an Audi A4 Quattro now(2nd hand, low kms)MANUAL!!....unfort I have lost faith with Honda after this.