I drive a Honda Fit 2012 LX and earlier this year, I would hear a slight chirping noise once in a while when I step on the accelerator. It sounded like it was coming through my air vents above my CD player. I think I started hearing the noise around the 120K mark. It would come and go and then it disappeared for a couple of months during the summer. I also felt that my AC wasn't as cold as it used to be but I blamed our hot summer.

Now the noise is back when I accelerate (but not necessarily each time) and along with it, my car now chirps when I'm idle at a light.

I've had my belt replaced a few days ago and when that didn't solve the problem, the mechanic checked everything that could possibly make this chirping/squeaking noise but still hasn't figured it out.

These noises don't start right away though. Only 10-15 minutes into driving when the car is warm.

I've provided a sound file. It starts off with me accelerating (a quiet but fast chirp) then being idle for most of the clip (chirp! chirp! chirp!) and then accelerating again in the end (fast chirp). https://www.dropbox.com/s/y13t7jiqus6tv1c/car%20squeak.m4a?dl=0

I hope someone here can solve this annoying mystery that has my mechanic stumped!

 

If it's not a belt could be a pulley. An engine mount going bad could cause something to rub that normally does not.

 

Yep, I agree with GolNat on a belt pulley. If you wish to double check your mechanic's work, fill a small spray bottle with water and a drop of dishwash soap. With the engine running and squealing heard, carefully (hands clear, no jewelry, no distractions) spritz some of the water on your serpentine belt, both sides if you can. (You can't overdo it.) If it goes away for a brief moment, you'll want to question if your belt was truly replaced. If the squeal continues unabated, it's a pulley.

 

Thanks for the replies! I don't know what my mechanic checked when he said he went through all the possibilities but I will see what he says about checking the belt pulley. I'll be dropping by tomorrow. Wish me luck!

 

hello I have the same problem and it's the same exact noise..my mechanic has no clue what it can be...did you ever figure out what it was?

 

It definitely sounds like something to do with the pulley. My 09 makes the same sound at high idle (when first turned on at cold temps) but at regular temps it's quiet.

 

I've got two thoughts outside the previously mentioned.
One is fans. rad, ac, blower, though I assume those have been ruled out.
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The other is the water pump. Have either of yuh ever serviced your coolant? the antifreeze acts as a corrosion preventative, and also like a lube for said pump. If you can't find anything on the serpentine belt by, say, carefully listening to the pulleys running, then consider checking out the water pump/servicing your cooling system. I use honda's antifreeze, if you wanna go a different route, maybe check out the bitog website for coolant recommendations for japanese imports. I think Peak makes a good coolant, but I don't think it'd save many pennies.

 

My mechanic had the my car for 2 days and still can’t figure it out...the belt and tensioner both changed ..he keeps telling me it’s an internal issue ...next stop Honda dealer

 

After driving for a few days with the chirping I heard a loud pop then the car sounded like a loud ass lawnmower. To find out the third coil exploded and ejected the spark plug. I changed all four coils and spark plugs...chirping ..what chirping?

 

Reviving to see if anyone found a definitive solution to this. Our '09 sport has developed the same symptoms. This chirping seems to only manifest on longer drives and at the same times as the OP, at idle and during acceleration. Backing off the throttle always quiets the chirp so far and it is not noticeable during crusing or deceleration. I too am thinking loose serpentine belt but the OP's experience with her mechanic has me wondering.

 

Don't know if you've got this figured yet, but if not, next time it starts chirping pull over and pull the engine oil dipstick or oil fill cap while the engine is still running. . If you hear a woosh of air when doing so, reinstall the cap or dip. if the squeak comes back, try pinching the hose that goes to the PCV valve. if pinching said hose doesn't change your idle, you should remove it when you get home and see if it's full of goop.

The valve can be cleaned with brake cleaner, just close your eyes when you spray it in there 😂

 

Where is PVC valve located on the Fit? Anyone have a photo?

 

Unbolt and slide this plastic whatsit off to your right. Valve is hidden behind it. This doesn't disconnect anything, so you can run the car and then pinch the hose there..

The PCV valve does have a crush washer on it, and the valve itself has a pretty high torque spec. Can double check but I think it's over 20ft.lbs. so that crush washer really does get crushed. You can try flipping it and re-using, but I'd recommend a stop at the dealership to get a new washer (cant recall whether it's the same as the oil drain plug washer) and a new PCV if it's reasonable.

As mentioned before, it can be cleaned and that'll work but I don't know how long the spring takes to wear out, so maybe not as good as a fresh replacement.

I dropped and lost my washer, so.. dealership.
Also tried an aftermarket PCV valve and it snapped in half at ~11ft.lbs... so dealership again

 

Thanks, I think my PVC is fine, but I figured a cleaning would be good. Sounds like it is might be a good preventative thing to do. Once you remove the plastic piece, is it pretty obvious how to remove the PVC valve, or are there any gotchas to get it off to remove. Also, is there a specific hole to squirt brake cleaner in, or is it obvious?

 

Once the plastic piece is kinda sidelined you'll just be fighting to fit an extension in there, you know, after you fight the hose off. It's tight if you don't want to disconnect stuff, but manageable. Might want/need a wobble/u-joint adapter.

 

Bumping this. Any solutions yet?

 

I don't think there's a hard answer for chirping while accelerating and idling. A lot of things are at work. Oil displacement in the block caused by built up crankcase pressure (clogged pcv, result of infrequent oil changes or excessive blow-by) can cause chirps. Air leaks can cause chirps, and apparently a loose plug can too! Pulleys, belt.. cooling system corrosion (water pump). The fault could be better isolated if service history is fully disclosed..
If one of the above items has been neglected or serviced recently, i'd just start looking. at the very least, make sure plugs aren't loose.

 

09 MT Sport Model with the same description as OP and user Mandarin. There's ~150k miles on the car. I get oil changes frequently. I had the trans fluid, spark plugs, and coolant all swapped at 120k miles. Car has been running strong with no issues until now. Even with this chirping noise, there are no noticeable performance issues. My AC has sucked for the last 2 years so maybe theres something.

 

If you can, refer to my above post with images to locate the pcv valve. While the engine is idling, you can pinch the hose and see if it affects your engine's idle. If pinching it tightly (without ripping it of course) does not affect idle, you need to service your pcv valve. Thats the easiest check.

​​​​​​I would also advise checking your spark plugs just in case. I don't expect it to be the cause, and it would be a pain in the butt, but ejected plugs are no fun for anyone and can be very expensive. I'd suggest that trying to re-torque them to 20 ft.lbs. would be an effective method for inspecting them without removing them and thus compromising their seal (crush washer). Not many torque wrenches can actually do 20ftlbs. They start at 20, and the first 20% of any click type torque wrench's range is not accurate. Would be better off using just a regular ratchet and seeing if they move when you try to firm them up.

I dont mess with ac systems much. does the fault manifest only when the ac is on? ac compressors have a duty cycle, so you should be able to figure out pretty easily if it had to do with the compressor. Would come and go with cycling.

 

Solved!!

I replaced the drive belt. The chirp dissipated over about a week and is now completely gone. Changing the belt was a PITA. In retrospect, I likely should have changed the tensioner pulley as well. Some have speculated this is the actual squeaky component. Oh well, just happy to be driving in peace for now.