98 Honda Accord Grief - Knocking Noise - Help Please

[adamc11]

Hi,

I picked up a 98 accord last year for around 5k. It's 4cyl, manual, when i bought it had 190,000kms and drove well.

It was due for it's 200,000km service 2 weeks ago so i got it done and had tensioners changed with the timing belt kit. I noticed it was whining a bit, more than usual. Right now that's the least of my worries though.

After about 1,000kms of driving it started making a knocking noise.

When i started the car it was fine, but once i clutched in it would start this knocking sound that would then stay even when the clutch was released. Turning the car off and on would stop the sound, until you clutch again.

My mechanics thought it was clutch related so they put in a new clutch. The clutch and pressure plate looked okay but the thrust bearing was no good. So, it ran fine for about 20 mins on the hoist changing through gears using the clutch. Then, when they went to road test it the noise started again, same as before.

Now, i went there to look at it and clutching in would make the noise, but releasing the clutch would stop the noise, which was odd because usually the noise would stay even once the clutched was removed.

In all of this it's worth noting that clutching in + revving the engine would increase the speed of the knocking noise.

So basically i'm in a dilemma.

200,000km service = $900
clutch replacement = $900 or so
Car is worth 5k

The mechanics seem to think the problem is the gearbox, but i would like opinions...

I will provide a recording of the knocking noise before the clutch was replaced.

In summary:

- Car starts fine and revs fine
- Once you clutch in the noise starts, even if you apply a little pressure to the clutch (rest your foot against the clutch slightly and it starts knocking)
- Removing the clutch will reduce the noise of the knocking but it keeps knocking (though today the noise stopped altogether when clutch released which was odd)
- You can feel the knocking noise through the clutch
- Also turning the engine anti clockwise by hand helped reduce the problem for a while

Any ideas?

I don't want to fork out a lot to fix this car when it's worth nothing, but i don't see any other option.

Thanks,
Adam

[pyro trim tech]

is the noise at random times or is it just consistant like a beat in a song, once it starts? did your mechanic have a good look at your gearset or flywheel when they changed the clutch?

[adamc11]

Alright, problem has been diagnosed... and it's not pretty =(

Metal from the thrust bearings was found in the sump. Because of the missing metal the crankshaft has too much movement.

This explains why the knocking noise comes on when the clutch is pushed in and why sometimes it doesn't happen consistently. The crank is shifting when the clutch is engaged/disengaged.

My options now are to try and fix the thrust bearings from underneath the engine but this may not be possible... the engine may have too be stripped from the top.

I'm thinking the easiest thing is probably to just put a replacement engine in with low kms... around $800 for the engine. Considering the gearbox/clutch and other accessories have been removed there isn't a whole lot of extra labour involved in putting a new engine in.

At least then i'll have a car with a good engine and new clutch, should give me a few years if the gearbox holds out.

[pyro trim tech]

yeh a new motor seems logical if you can get it at the right price, my CD5 has 270xxx K's on it and still goes really well, haven't had and gearbox/clutch dramas with it. Maybe look for a H22A eng while you have the option to change, could probly find one for a few extra hundred (maybe more, lol) if your lucky, they'll go straight in, instant power upgrade, twin cam, all that. up to you, if your just after a daily tho, wouldn't bother