Engine "clicking" noise

insole23 · 05-12-2008, 03:53 PM

Ok ever since I bought my car it felt great to drive and sounded fine. This was just recently sometime in feb. Its a 08 Fa5. After driving it a couple months, I never really payed attention to the engine noise until about a week or two ago. A couple of my friends and I were looking at his new eg with a ls swap in it. He says he needs to get his valves adjusted because of his clicking noise. After that day I've been trying to figure out if the clicknig noise that im hearing ... is it my valves having to be readjusted, or what not. Its not really loud, or anything it just doesnt sound right. It also might be me freaking out because its new and I dont want it to break down.

If anyone has this same problem or concern please tell inform me. Also If you guys havent checked, see if you can hear this same clicking in the engine. Thanks.

marc

***NBPRudy*** · 05-12-2008, 04:08 PM

It's probably your fuel injectors...it's normal!

***07CivicMD*** · 05-12-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBPRudy

It's probably your fuel injectors...it's normal!

Opticon · 05-14-2008, 12:23 AM

yep, ur engine is gonna blow in 2 days

lol jk, fuel injector click like that, completely normal

blueraptor · 07-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Got a clicking noise coming from the engine on my 06 civic sedan lx too. Didn't have it during the first few months, but started to get louder and finally noticed it about a year later. I've searched online and got many possibilities on the cause, but most of them are just misguided on what the "clicking noise" is. Found a youtube video that may help: YouTube - audi engine noise after lifter replacement

The clicking noise is around 14-15sec into the video. The vague background clicking is the noise that I have. It's vague in the video because of the low quality camera feed. Anyone know what the problem is? Or anyone experiencing the same with their 8th civic?

I'm gonna crack the engine cover up this weekend and see if the valves needs any adjustment. I'm hoping it's the valve because I don't know how to fix it if it's the cam chain tensioner, which is the cause of the clicking in that video.

blueraptor · 07-10-2008, 12:43 AM

Got a clicking noise coming from the engine on my 06 civic sedan lx too. Didn't have it during the first few months, but started to get louder and finally noticed it about a year later. I've searched online and got many possibilities on the cause, but most of them are just misguided on what the "clicking noise" is. Found a youtube video that may help: YouTube - audi engine noise after lifter replacement

The clicking noise is around 14-15sec into the video. The vague background clicking is the noise that I have. It's vague in the video because of the low quality camera feed. Anyone know what the problem is? Or anyone experiencing the same with their 8th civic?

I'm gonna crack the engine cover up this weekend and see if the valves needs any adjustment. I'm hoping it's the valve because I don't know how to fix it if it's the cam chain tensioner, which is the cause of the clicking in that video.

nayilsi · 07-10-2008, 12:44 AM

Does better engine oil make the clicking quicker ?

FlatlineSi28 · 07-10-2008, 02:47 AM

i used to think the same thing but after hanging out wiht all kinds of other people with honda.. i realized it was normal

fa5pride · 07-10-2008, 04:19 AM

valves dude prlley have more then 30 k on it right? its normal dont trip unless it gets loud when u throttle or just at all then take it in you have a warranty if its not your fault.

blueraptor · 07-11-2008, 01:17 PM

nayilsi, yes better oil does make a bit of difference. I'm using amsoil 0-20W syn. ever since i used seafoam on the engine last month and changed my oil with the new amsoil, the noise level has die down quite a bit. I may very well be lack of lubrication, but i'll crack the engine open tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok. My car is over 45K, so it's out of warranty long ago. I bought the service manual for my CAI installation, so if i follow the instructions on valve check, i'll be alright.

On a side note, the CAI and new Denso spark plugs did make a lot of difference in throttle lag. Love our 5 speed auto, i'm getting 38mpg on purely highway(drove down to virginia last month). Getting only 25ish mpg on city though. Had my transmission flush @ 40K, new oil, new sparkplug; so i'm thinking i'm losing compression because of the valve. We'll see if my valve adjustment make any difference. Thanks for the response.

did you guys hear about the euro civic? IT IS NICE! they got a diesel version too (52mpg). Bitches!

PokeyD16Z · 07-11-2008, 04:40 PM

It may not be your valves...it may be a defect. There is a safety recall for a small group of 08 Civic Si's for ticking or clicking.. Check to see if your VIN is in that range.

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/attac...ll-a08-032.pdf

shatchi · 07-11-2008, 07:10 PM

All depends how hard you have driven your car recently. Whether you've been over-rev'n all day everyday. Or not, they it may be a defect, however it CAN also be your injectors. They're really really loud, compared to the B-Series motors.

blueraptor · 07-11-2008, 10:08 PM

PokeyD16Z, I haven't heard of the SI recall. Thanks. I got a 06 civic LX though, so it may not apply to my engine. I'll check for the defect when I crack it open.

As for over-rev'n it or hitting vtec, reguardless of how hard you push your civic (as long as it's under redline) it should alright. It's what the car's designed for. If it makes noises afterwards, then there's a flaw; but that's not the case here. It's make that clicking noise, just like in that video, anytime when idle (don't matter after driving or just startup). Umm... What's this injector that everyone is pointing the clicking noise at? I thought injectors are stationary(bolted down or not moving part). I mean the pressurized gasoline gets sprayed via injector, but the injectors themselves don't move up and down like the valves. Am I wrong?

blueraptor · 07-14-2008, 11:45 PM

After opening the engine cover, I went through a few valves to check if it was the valves that was making the click clack noise. The valves seems ok and within the 0.009-0.011 inch range for intake and some other number for exhaust. With a variation of only 0.011, the valves wouldn't have made such loud clicking noise. The timing chain feels very sturdy and does have enough tension, so the noise wasn't coming from it. The noise is almost gone now. It's very faint, but still present if I open up the hood and listen closely. The reason why it's almost gone is because of seafoam then oil change.

Going off topic abit, but before I did a seafoam on my engine; the oil would get dark and dirty really quick after an oil change. After running on seafoam inside the engine for about 100 miles (thoroughly cleaning the engine) plus a new oil change, the oil is still clean after about 800miles into the new oil.

This is a perfectly good engine, so I didn't feel like digging into the noise any further than I already have. It wasn't the valves, nor the timing chain being loose. There is two more things I can try: lifters and fuel injectors (both of which I'm not familiar with and think is costly if I **** anything up). Anyway for anyone who is have the same clickaty clack noise issue with their new civic, use some seafoam before your next oil change, then make sure you put enough oil into your engine (one way is to keep checking the dip stick and make adjustments). I also pour some Lucas oil stabilizer in (don't know if that makes a difference). The lucas oil stabilizer makes oil more sticky, so oil will climb higher in the engine for lubrication in the upper compartments (like valves and lifters). This is my first honda, so I was very intrigued on the clicking noise. especially for a new car just after 40k.

Diaz90 · 07-17-2008, 05:42 PM

i have an 08 lx that i just got in feb and its doing that clicking noise too idk if it does it while im driving but i notice it when im stopped...has about 8k miles its anooying and bull cuz for it still being new, idk y it does that freakin noise

ssoh87 · 07-17-2008, 06:43 PM

is the clicking noise that you guys are talking about only in a certain rpm range?

i have an 07 fa5 and i can hear clicking (inside the car while driving) only between 2500and 3000 rpm at half of more throttle.

i took it in when i first bought it and they said it was spark knocking and to make sure to use 91 octane.

i have been using only 91 octane, and still hear it to this day. wouldnt the knock sensor prevent this from happening?

anyone else have the same experience as me?

blueraptor · 07-25-2008, 10:24 PM

ssoh87,

Our new civic engine squirts oil underneath all four piston heads to low the combustion camber temperature. As far as I know, that's the only "anti-knock" system in the 8th civic. The lower the octane number (whether it's done through RON or MON), the more likely that it will ignite in lower temperature (premature ignition or knocking). That's why the engineers at Honda designed a cooling system for the pistons. But most still think for a compression ratio of 10.5/1, we should stick with premium gasoline or 91 octane and above. 87 octane is meant for engines with compression ratio from 8/1 to 10/1.

If you have have knocking problems and you've switched to premium gasoline (for long enough time that there should be no more residual 87 octanes left over), then make sure your spark plug is good. The revised gap for our engine is 0.39in to 0.44in. All 8th civics are equiped with Iridium spark plugs, so I doubt it's your spark plugs. The last a pretty long time: around 60,000miles. I got a set from Denso which was own by toyota that will last for 120,000miles. I would clean the whole fuel system by getting any fuel injection cleaner. I recommend Seafoam or STP Complete blah blah blah (sorry forgot what the blahs are, but do only get the one with "Complete" if you go with STP).

Diaz90,
Like I mentioned in my previous post, the clicking noise has died down after what I did. As far as the noise being an actual issue or not. Well... according to many online forums, it's not an issue. I'm on my vacation and I rented a Toyota yaris, which also has a tiny engine with 10.5/1 compression ratio, and it makes the same clicking noise. So that makes me feel better about our engine. Many online posts do state that the clicking noise is normal, and many have also owned a honda with clicking noise for as much as 200,000miles on it. Just make sure you maintain your car.

The only "new" finding I have after previously tinkering around is Seaform your engine. Like I said before, my engine oil gets dirty as hell right after an oil change. That's because of carbon buildup in the engine. After pouring some seafoam into my engine before an oil change, my oil is still clear after 800miles.

blueraptor · 07-25-2008, 10:36 PM

quick question,

anyone know of some sort of 8th civic bra or front cover to prevent sand and rocks from flying into the radiator? I saw some mesh fabric for trucks and offroad cars, but not our 8th civic. I drive my car down to virginia from nyc for work alot and have been getting pebbles and rocks stuck in my radiator fins. Mesh should work because it lets air though and prevents sands from coming through.

05-12-2008, 03:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
insole23 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 676 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Engine "clicking" noise Ok ever since I bought my car it felt great to drive and sounded fine. This was just recently sometime in feb. Its a 08 Fa5. After driving it a couple months, I never really payed attention to the engine noise until about a week or two ago. A couple of my friends and I were looking at his new eg with a ls swap in it. He says he needs to get his valves adjusted because of his clicking noise. After that day I've been trying to figure out if the clicknig noise that im hearing ... is it my valves having to be readjusted, or what not. Its not really loud, or anything it just doesnt sound right. It also might be me freaking out because its new and I dont want it to break down. If anyone has this same problem or concern please tell inform me. Also If you guys havent checked, see if you can hear this same clicking in the engine. Thanks. marc

07-11-2008, 04:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
PokeyD16Z Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 522 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It may not be your valves...it may be a defect. There is a safety recall for a small group of 08 Civic Si's for ticking or clicking.. Check to see if your VIN is in that range. http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/attac...ll-a08-032.pdf Last edited by PokeyD16Z; 07-11-2008 at 04:41 PM.

07-11-2008, 07:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
shatchi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fremont Bay Area CA Age: 22 Posts: 137 Joe iTrader: 0 / 0%	All depends how hard you have driven your car recently. Whether you've been over-rev'n all day everyday. Or not, they it may be a defect, however it CAN also be your injectors. They're really really loud, compared to the B-Series motors. Last edited by shatchi; 07-11-2008 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Typos FTL

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05-14-2008, 12:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Opticon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Henderson, NC Age: 24 Posts: 364 myspace.com/opticon1 iTrader: 0 / 0%	yep, ur engine is gonna blow in 2 days lol jk, fuel injector click like that, completely normal

07-10-2008, 12:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Got a clicking noise coming from the engine on my 06 civic sedan lx too. Didn't have it during the first few months, but started to get louder and finally noticed it about a year later. I've searched online and got many possibilities on the cause, but most of them are just misguided on what the "clicking noise" is. Found a youtube video that may help: YouTube - audi engine noise after lifter replacement The clicking noise is around 14-15sec into the video. The vague background clicking is the noise that I have. It's vague in the video because of the low quality camera feed. Anyone know what the problem is? Or anyone experiencing the same with their 8th civic? I'm gonna crack the engine cover up this weekend and see if the valves needs any adjustment. I'm hoping it's the valve because I don't know how to fix it if it's the cam chain tensioner, which is the cause of the clicking in that video.

07-10-2008, 12:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Got a clicking noise coming from the engine on my 06 civic sedan lx too. Didn't have it during the first few months, but started to get louder and finally noticed it about a year later. I've searched online and got many possibilities on the cause, but most of them are just misguided on what the "clicking noise" is. Found a youtube video that may help: YouTube - audi engine noise after lifter replacement The clicking noise is around 14-15sec into the video. The vague background clicking is the noise that I have. It's vague in the video because of the low quality camera feed. Anyone know what the problem is? Or anyone experiencing the same with their 8th civic? I'm gonna crack the engine cover up this weekend and see if the valves needs any adjustment. I'm hoping it's the valve because I don't know how to fix it if it's the cam chain tensioner, which is the cause of the clicking in that video.

07-10-2008, 12:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
nayilsi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: I have to return some Video Tapes. Posts: 6,698 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Does better engine oil make the clicking quicker ?

07-10-2008, 02:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
FlatlineSi28 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Age: 19 Posts: 197 Matt iTrader: 0 / 0%	i used to think the same thing but after hanging out wiht all kinds of other people with honda.. i realized it was normal

07-10-2008, 04:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
fa5pride Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Las Vegas 702 Age: 22 Posts: 80 Steven S iTrader: 0 / 0%	valves dude prlley have more then 30 k on it right? its normal dont trip unless it gets loud when u throttle or just at all then take it in you have a warranty if its not your fault.

07-11-2008, 01:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	nayilsi, yes better oil does make a bit of difference. I'm using amsoil 0-20W syn. ever since i used seafoam on the engine last month and changed my oil with the new amsoil, the noise level has die down quite a bit. I may very well be lack of lubrication, but i'll crack the engine open tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok. My car is over 45K, so it's out of warranty long ago. I bought the service manual for my CAI installation, so if i follow the instructions on valve check, i'll be alright. On a side note, the CAI and new Denso spark plugs did make a lot of difference in throttle lag. Love our 5 speed auto, i'm getting 38mpg on purely highway(drove down to virginia last month). Getting only 25ish mpg on city though. Had my transmission flush @ 40K, new oil, new sparkplug; so i'm thinking i'm losing compression because of the valve. We'll see if my valve adjustment make any difference. Thanks for the response. did you guys hear about the euro civic? IT IS NICE! they got a diesel version too (52mpg). Bitches!

07-11-2008, 10:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	PokeyD16Z, I haven't heard of the SI recall. Thanks. I got a 06 civic LX though, so it may not apply to my engine. I'll check for the defect when I crack it open. As for over-rev'n it or hitting vtec, reguardless of how hard you push your civic (as long as it's under redline) it should alright. It's what the car's designed for. If it makes noises afterwards, then there's a flaw; but that's not the case here. It's make that clicking noise, just like in that video, anytime when idle (don't matter after driving or just startup). Umm... What's this injector that everyone is pointing the clicking noise at? I thought injectors are stationary(bolted down or not moving part). I mean the pressurized gasoline gets sprayed via injector, but the injectors themselves don't move up and down like the valves. Am I wrong?

07-14-2008, 11:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	After opening the engine cover, I went through a few valves to check if it was the valves that was making the click clack noise. The valves seems ok and within the 0.009-0.011 inch range for intake and some other number for exhaust. With a variation of only 0.011, the valves wouldn't have made such loud clicking noise. The timing chain feels very sturdy and does have enough tension, so the noise wasn't coming from it. The noise is almost gone now. It's very faint, but still present if I open up the hood and listen closely. The reason why it's almost gone is because of seafoam then oil change. Going off topic abit, but before I did a seafoam on my engine; the oil would get dark and dirty really quick after an oil change. After running on seafoam inside the engine for about 100 miles (thoroughly cleaning the engine) plus a new oil change, the oil is still clean after about 800miles into the new oil. This is a perfectly good engine, so I didn't feel like digging into the noise any further than I already have. It wasn't the valves, nor the timing chain being loose. There is two more things I can try: lifters and fuel injectors (both of which I'm not familiar with and think is costly if I **** anything up). Anyway for anyone who is have the same clickaty clack noise issue with their new civic, use some seafoam before your next oil change, then make sure you put enough oil into your engine (one way is to keep checking the dip stick and make adjustments). I also pour some Lucas oil stabilizer in (don't know if that makes a difference). The lucas oil stabilizer makes oil more sticky, so oil will climb higher in the engine for lubrication in the upper compartments (like valves and lifters). This is my first honda, so I was very intrigued on the clicking noise. especially for a new car just after 40k.

07-17-2008, 05:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
Diaz90 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15 iTrader: 0 / 0%	i have an 08 lx that i just got in feb and its doing that clicking noise too idk if it does it while im driving but i notice it when im stopped...has about 8k miles its anooying and bull cuz for it still being new, idk y it does that freakin noise

07-17-2008, 06:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
ssoh87 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver Posts: 200 Sunny iTrader: 0 / 0%	is the clicking noise that you guys are talking about only in a certain rpm range? i have an 07 fa5 and i can hear clicking (inside the car while driving) only between 2500and 3000 rpm at half of more throttle. i took it in when i first bought it and they said it was spark knocking and to make sure to use 91 octane. i have been using only 91 octane, and still hear it to this day. wouldnt the knock sensor prevent this from happening? anyone else have the same experience as me?

07-25-2008, 10:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ssoh87, Our new civic engine squirts oil underneath all four piston heads to low the combustion camber temperature. As far as I know, that's the only "anti-knock" system in the 8th civic. The lower the octane number (whether it's done through RON or MON), the more likely that it will ignite in lower temperature (premature ignition or knocking). That's why the engineers at Honda designed a cooling system for the pistons. But most still think for a compression ratio of 10.5/1, we should stick with premium gasoline or 91 octane and above. 87 octane is meant for engines with compression ratio from 8/1 to 10/1. If you have have knocking problems and you've switched to premium gasoline (for long enough time that there should be no more residual 87 octanes left over), then make sure your spark plug is good. The revised gap for our engine is 0.39in to 0.44in. All 8th civics are equiped with Iridium spark plugs, so I doubt it's your spark plugs. The last a pretty long time: around 60,000miles. I got a set from Denso which was own by toyota that will last for 120,000miles. I would clean the whole fuel system by getting any fuel injection cleaner. I recommend Seafoam or STP Complete blah blah blah (sorry forgot what the blahs are, but do only get the one with "Complete" if you go with STP). Diaz90, Like I mentioned in my previous post, the clicking noise has died down after what I did. As far as the noise being an actual issue or not. Well... according to many online forums, it's not an issue. I'm on my vacation and I rented a Toyota yaris, which also has a tiny engine with 10.5/1 compression ratio, and it makes the same clicking noise. So that makes me feel better about our engine. Many online posts do state that the clicking noise is normal, and many have also owned a honda with clicking noise for as much as 200,000miles on it. Just make sure you maintain your car. The only "new" finding I have after previously tinkering around is Seaform your engine. Like I said before, my engine oil gets dirty as hell right after an oil change. That's because of carbon buildup in the engine. After pouring some seafoam into my engine before an oil change, my oil is still clear after 800miles.

07-25-2008, 10:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
blueraptor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 iTrader: 0 / 0%	quick question, anyone know of some sort of 8th civic bra or front cover to prevent sand and rocks from flying into the radiator? I saw some mesh fabric for trucks and offroad cars, but not our 8th civic. I drive my car down to virginia from nyc for work alot and have been getting pebbles and rocks stuck in my radiator fins. Mesh should work because it lets air though and prevents sands from coming through.