Rattling Noise @ Idle RPM

[hunk_ktm]

Hi Guys,
This is my first post to the forum, although I have been around here for a month now. It's good to learn & share the knowledge around.

Well, my car problem is that there's a rattling noise coming through the engine bay from the driver side of my car. It happens only when my car is in gear(reverse or Drive) and its at lights or stopped with engine running at Idle RPM(900 to 500), it(noise) is independent of the engine temperature.
At times, when at lights or stopped at side of the road, there's enough vibration to be felt through the steering wheel as well or at times vibration feels to be bit more than usual.
Background:
I have Honda Accord Euro 2005, automatic, has done 133,000Kms , Just recently I got it serviced for 120K which was earlier not done as a major service. This time around I got it done as major service. After the service the noise has been found. I took it back to the service garage (Auto Leaders, Southport) , but the manager(Mr. Peter) over there himself had a look and wasnt able to determine the cause. For him it sounded normal. But I was very clear to him , conveying that I didnt used to get the noise before service.

Any help or advice will be apprcaited thanks.

The major service car had was in terms with the log-book.

[outatime]

perhaps you're using solid engine mounts or one of them is busted

[hunk_ktm]

Thanks Outatime!
I will check for it. But, I have no idea, where to look for and how they look like as in good condition or prehaps bad?
I was wondering if there's anyone from Gold Coast here at the forum who can meet up during this weekend. And Help me out. I can get some know-how & some experience advice from the same car owner's as mine. I will appreciate your time.

[sodaz]

Can you describe the rattling sound a bit more - does it sound like it's metal vibrating against metal or is it more subtle than that?

[hunk_ktm]

The noise is definitely not of metal roughing up against another metal. Its more of a spining noise with a bit whining noise.
If you heard a two stroke bike engine runing at idle ... Its probably very close to it.
I tried to check by being at idle RPM:
1. Switching on & off the A/C - not responsible for noise.
2. Stopping at lights & also at side of a road : tried pulling the hand brakes & removing my foot from brake in Drive gear & again putting my foot back on the brakes- to check if brake assebly is responsible but no luck.
3. I visually inspected all the nuts & bolts around the engine area. Didnt find anything loose or looking worn out by shaking them around.

My power steering was bit tight before the servicing & now its bit more flexible but at the cost of noise(???)

I will google around to look for similar issue.
Thanks.

[sodaz]

That's a good sign. It sounds like an accessories pulley related noise.Check the tensioner indicator to see if the arrow lines up with the block - you might also want to look into changing the belt. It could be worn out and not gripping properly.

I experienced something similar and it went away after I replaced the belt. It's a very cheap item to buy too. With my problem before, the noise only came when the car was stopped in gear, idling or driving at very slow speeds. It was a whirring type of sound.

The power steering system is linked to the accessories pulleys so there's a good chance that this is related.

Good luck!

[hunk_ktm]

Thanks Sodaz!
Well I spent a good time over the weekend trying to find out the cause of the noise. I did record a video to show you guys, will put it on the web later on.
I was able to exactly isolate the place where the noise was coming from around the engine bay.

I could clearly hear the belts on the side making a swooshing noise which is normal & the injectors doing their bit, when at neutral on Idle RPM. Whereas, while in gear, a different noise got added to the lot. It was mostly next to the spining belt & the pulleys.
I wasnt still able to point out the culprit.

So, I took the car to 'Greasemonkey' workshop at Southport. I explained the guy what we are looking for &
'Voila' ... He quickly pointed out to the 'belt tensioner'.
So I had a look at by myself as well pretty much the whole solid thing vibrates/rattles at Idle rpm in gear.
The guy suggested me that I should get it replaced. He didnt had the idea , how much it would cost?

I wanted to get some inputs from you guys, as to what you reckon should be done & if need be to replace the stuff 'automatic belt tensioner' , any ideas as to how much it costs??

Thanks.

Edit: Here's the video on Youtube - link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY7lyTHLwaM) .

[hunk_ktm]

These links gave me a bit help:
Auto tensioner failure link (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?132408-CL9-Drive-Belt-Automatic-Tensioner-Failure&highlight=Belt+tensioner)

Drive belt tension (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?137446-Drive-belt-tension/page2)

Thanks.

[sodaz]

You're welcome mate. I just watched the video and it definitely sounds like it's coming from the pulleys assembly area. It's likely that the auto belt tensioner is faulty.

I'd get a new belt online and install that to see if it fixes the problem first.The belt could have stretched and it's worth a try before spending hundreds to replace the unit itself. Even if it doesn't fix it you'll at least have a new belt.

It's also a good idea to take it to another garage that specialises in Hondas to get a second opinion.

[hunk_ktm]

The belt change didnt help...:-(...
I have to go for the whole kit itself...I was wondering which one to go for..
1. Dayco auto tensioner kit :- 266/- ( incl. of labour chg.)
2. Gates auto tensioner kit :- 297/- ( incl. Of labour chg.)

Has anyone got aftermarket auto tensioner on their ride? Any suggeations & recommendations??

Thanks.

[emz]

Hi bloke, I would like to make one suggestion, why don't you try removing the drive belt and starting the engine, I know the alternator is driven by the same belt but you only need to run it for a short time. This way you can eliminate the tensioner if the rattle remains. Also it almost sound like a tappet rattle are you sure the engine has oil and if so have they used the correct grade?
Regards

[gogzilla]

Any update on this issue? Was it tensioner, or power steering pump, or something else?

[Mattis]

Read my thread here on the same issue and the replacement I did: http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?171554-CL9-Serpentine-Tensioner-Replacement&p=3923699#post3923699

But yet, I got the gates kit and its started rattling less than 10k km later....

[Jasemas]

As again from the other thread
Did you use a 7pk1750 or 7pk1760?

[Mattis]

As again from the other thread
Did you use a 7pk1750 or 7pk1760?

Yep, as per the other thread I missed that response about using the shorted belt.

Actually just popped down to Repco and ordered it in, $53 - will swap it over and report back from there.

Thanks