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05 civic ep3 type r cold start noise

Sounds like a loose chain tensioner to me and the chain is slapping about until the oil pressure has built up. Does it happen if you run the car for a bit and then restart it?
 
Sounds like a loose chain tensioner to me and the chain is slapping about until the oil pressure has built up. Does it happen if you run the car for a bit and then restart it?

Only happens on cold start up when the oil has drained to the sump over night.
 
Heres a better video starts about 10seconds in. Will probably try by replacing the tensioner first and see if that does anything.
[video=youtube_share;uOLiuweqirU]https://youtu.be/uOLiuweqirU[/video]
 
After doing some research I believe the noise to be from a faulty VTC actuator. Seems quite common on vtec engines as the newer Honda accords are having problems at lower mileage. never really heard much of the K20a2 engine VTC actuator making the noise unless your running aggressive cams. According to Honda on the accords you can replace the VTC actuator but there is a chance it comes back after a while and as far as their aware it causes no damage?

I've found that turning the key on the 2nd position and leaving it for a bit is meant to reset the cams and it has seemed to quite a bit from the sound it was making in the video.
 
Just brought an ep3 with a similar problem on cold starts, gutted. 04 plate with 83k on the clock, the car had the timing chain done at 65k and starter motor replaced at 50k so also wondering if its the VTC actuator.

I'm okay with the noise if no damage is being done, just worried about the long-term implications of this.

http://youtu.be/2ChFPAhLYPQ
 
Got my car back from a specialist on Tuesday. Had the chain, guides, tensioner, VTC wheel, and the solenoid replaced. Annoyingly whoever had worked on the car previously had rounded off the tensioner bolt, but was only an extra £6 for replacement.

Anyways... the car is all fixed, no rattle anymore so couldn't be happier!
 
Not cheap, £600 for Honda parts, £560 for labor after VAT. You can definitely get cheaper parts online but wanted to keep it all Honda for peace of mind.

The specialist seemed to think that its a possibility that only the chain had been replaced previously despite a previous Citroen/Peugeot specialist completing a "timing chain overhaul kit" for ~£1000. IMHO I still think it was the solenoid for the VTC or the wheel its self but sadly will never know for definite.
 
Are you saying that it had a previous change of timing chain before you had it changed again? and done by a PSA agent....!
 
Callum. Are you parking across a slight slope so that the passenger side of the car is tipping down a bit? I have to park my EP3 like that and after a few days without being used, when I start her up there is a lumpy rattle for a second or two before the oil gets circulating.
 
Yup, the previous owner had a mixture of service/repair history from both a Honda and a PSA garage, but why on earth they decided to use PSA for a timing chain I don't know.
 
Not cheap, £600 for Honda parts, £560 for labor after VAT. You can definitely get cheaper parts online but wanted to keep it all Honda for peace of mind.

The specialist seemed to think that its a possibility that only the chain had been replaced previously despite a previous Citroen/Peugeot specialist completing a "timing chain overhaul kit" for ~£1000. IMHO I still think it was the solenoid for the VTC or the wheel its self but sadly will never know for definite.

Jesus that alot of money! May car is only worth 2x that price haha
 
Callum. Are you parking across a slight slope so that the passenger side of the car is tipping down a bit? I have to park my EP3 like that and after a few days without being used, when I start her up there is a lumpy rattle for a second or two before the oil gets circulating.

Not a bad shout. If i park on my drive where the front is higher than the back i get the same rattle on start up until the oil gets upto pressure.
 
Callum. Are you parking across a slight slope so that the passenger side of the car is tipping down a bit? I have to park my EP3 like that and after a few days without being used, when I start her up there is a lumpy rattle for a second or two before the oil gets circulating.

Yea the car is parked on slope with the front end facing downwards, Probably doesn't help it much for cold starts.
 
Yea the car is parked on slope with the front end facing downwards, Probably doesn't help it much for cold starts.

I find that this is a better position for me to start the car from. If I have the front higher it rattles more
 
Alright guys, sorry to bump this thread but I still have the dreaded rattle on cold start , I’ve just had the chain, tensioner, guides and vtc cam gear down and it’s still doing it :confused:! Has anyone managed to find the solution?? I read this thread before getting all the work done and was sure this would fix it but it’s still there ! Any help would be appreciated!
 
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