When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm not, but if I were to do it over again I would.
That's why I suggest others do it since it stretches from the VTC failure.
Eventually the engine falls out of time far enough and and *booom* goes the engine.
I didn't consider replacing the chain. Do you know if there's a test I can do to gauge whether it needs replacement?
Holy moly, sounds like a 3 hr job ... mine only seems to make the noise once, maybe twice in a year, am not bothering with it
Originally Posted by clorbag
if it was that infrequent I wouldn't bother either. my car does it now after a 30 min sit. it is really bad.
That video I posted makes it _seem_ like it shouldn't take as long as 3hrs. Though it's not for the Fit specifically and it doesn't follow all the steps (like removing the cam).
Seems pretty straight forward though as long as keeping the timing settings intact gets taken into account. I haven't started yet, mostly because other things get in the way and also because I'm not 100% sure about the wrench I'll need to hold the cam in place while unfastening the vtc.
I didn't consider replacing the chain. Do you know if there's a test I can do to gauge whether it needs replacement?
No, but (without removing the entire chain and comparing to a new chain) if you were to measure the amount of slack the tensioner is taking up, that should give an indication to the chain's expected lifespan.
I bought a used 2015 LX with 92k miles and inherited all issues including the vtc rattle during cold start ups.
After reading this thread and TSB 16-088 I decided to do the replacement myself. I just followed the TSB and removed it along with the intake cam.
After replacing the vtc the rattle still persisted. However not as frequent and rattle noise was not as long in duration when it did happen. I went back and changed the timing chain tensioner which eliminated the rattle completely.
I would definately recommend replacing the chain tensioner during the vtc replacement.
IMO this is not an easy job for a novice and understand why shops charge $1k+ for labor. If you have never done this, its going to take you much longer then the TSB 3 hour flat rate time.
Did you watch p1co's video from Post #27 by any chance? I'm curious about the differences between that car and the Fit. Could you have removed the VTC without removing the cam?
Did you watch p1co's video from Post #27 by any chance? I'm curious about the differences between that car and the Fit. Could you have removed the VTC without removing the cam?
Yes I watched the video before attempting the repair. Video is helpful and the engine design is very similar.
However the front engine cover sits alot higher then the video car and there was not enough clearance to get a box closed end wrench or socket on the exhaust cam gear bolt to loosen it and remove the gear.
No I could not do the repair without removing the cam.
@wnjlt1 Nice work. I'm coming to your house with some cold beer. I want to watch you do this stuff.
If I understand you correctly, there is VTC noise and there is timing chain noise. Are these things directly related to each other? Is one causing the other, or was it just coincidence that both noises were happening at the same time?
If I understand you correctly, there is VTC noise and there is timing chain noise. Are these things directly related to each other? Is one causing the other, or was it just coincidence that both noises were happening at the same time?
+1
Also, maybe it was the excessive slack in the chain causing the timing chain tensioner noise?
If so, wouldn't it make sense to replace the chain too? (I've never heard of anyone replacing the tensioner on those with the VTC failure).
@wnjlt1 Nice work. I'm coming to your house with some cold beer. I want to watch you do this stuff.
If I understand you correctly, there is VTC noise and there is timing chain noise. Are these things directly related to each other? Is one causing the other, or was it just coincidence that both noises were happening at the same time?
The VTC actuator, timing chain and tensioner all work together. I had a defective VTC & worn timing chain tensioner.
IMO both contributed to the same rattle noise. Since the tensioner is removed during VTC replacement, replace the tensioner as well.
I just had mine done on my 2018 with 66,000 miles. $1,400 job if you don't have an extended warranty. Cost me $190 out of pocket for stuff that wasn't covered.
I had the VTC actuator finally replaced on my 2015 FIT this week with 74,500 mile under the Honda Car Extended Warranty.
The dealer billed Honda $1230.00 for the job parts and labor.
During the work the Service Manager called me to tell me that the rattling noise I was hearing from the engine on startup was probably not only from the VTC actuator, but also from the Plastic Engine Chain Guide which the technician found to be cracked and he said not uncommon in engines that have the VTC actuator issue. They also replaced the chain guide.
The Manager said they also inspected the Tensioner and found no issues otherwise they would have replaced it too.
They also check the chain and found it normal within tolerance.
The Manager said that they have done many VTC actuators on the CRV's and Accords over the years but this is only the 3rd FIT at that dealership.
He said that the design of the Engine on the FIT makes this repair really more of a 6 to 7 hour job even for an experienced tech--not harder--just more time consuming.
I posted the parts list from the Dealer invoice.
Thanks to everyone that posted on the VTC issue on this discussion chain and others to help me understand the problem and how to proceed.
Initially when the car was inspected by the dealership a year ago on my complaints of noise at start-up they focused on the V Belt and pulleys and found them normal--no one brought to my attention the VTC. The service advisor said that so few FITs come to service at the dealership that they were unaware of the TSB for 2015 and 2016 FIT but well aware of it for CRV and Accord only.
Honda has had this problem on various models going back more than 10 years and yet they continue to produce cars with this problem from time to time. It doesn't say much for their engineering expertise when they fail to learn from past mistakes and history continues to repeat itself.
I had the VTC actuator finally replaced on my 2015 FIT this week with 74,500 mile under the Honda Car Extended Warranty.
The dealer billed Honda $1230.00 for the job parts and labor.
During the work the Service Manager called me to tell me that the rattling noise I was hearing from the engine on startup was probably not only from the VTC actuator, but also from the Plastic Engine Chain Guide which the technician found to be cracked and he said not uncommon in engines that have the VTC actuator issue. They also replaced the chain guide.
The Manager said they also inspected the Tensioner and found no issues otherwise they would have replaced it too.
They also check the chain and found it normal within tolerance.
Worn plastic timing chain guides are also a great indicator of oil that's run far too long (as well as VTC issues etc.).
Change your oil more frequently than suggested by the oil life monitor and you won't have recurring issues.
Worn plastic timing chain guides are also a great indicator of oil that's run far too long (as well as VTC issues etc.).
Change your oil more frequently than suggested by the oil life monitor and you won't have recurring issues.
Since the FIT was new, I have used Mobil 1 Synthetic--Specked for 10K intervals and change it at approx 7k which is usually 10% left on the oil life monitor.
Still you think an oil change at less Miles would prevent timing chain guide wear?
Honda has had this problem on various models going back more than 10 years and yet they continue to produce cars with this problem from time to time. It doesn't say much for their engineering expertise when they fail to learn from past mistakes and history continues to repeat itself.
This is my 2nd FIT (last 2009) and I have to say that Honda has always treated me right but on this 2015 FIT I have been somewhat disappointed with the build quality.
I love the car and treat it like a baby, but I have been through too many warranty repairs.
I was in that group early on that did not have the windshield installed properly in the Mexico factory and it suffered stress cracks and they shipped a new Honda windshield to the dealer for install--that one has been fine.
Then the door handle bracket corrosion warranty replacement.
Then more recently the start-stop switch went out and replaced on the special Honda extended warranty they offered everyone.
Now the engine VTC Actuator requiring an invasive expensive repair.
FIT has not even reached 75K yet.
I really wanted to keep this car for a very long time I like it so much--it's a great handling performing car since I put wider better tires on it at 25K.
Over the years I have read articles that the Air Bag debacle that Honda suffered sucked too much of their engineering and management attention away from quality on new production that owners are now paying for. Not sure that it's true but auto writers have described it.
