Hey Fit Freaks,


what I am hoping to find here is the truth of whether or not the rattle does any damage?. below is my understanding of the VTC function and I would love for you to tell me where I am wrong as I do not see how this problem can cause timing chain stretch.


-first step is that oil has drained down after sitting over night.

-engine starts, causing VTC actuator internal gear to freely flop in sync with the camshaft back and forth a couple of times before oil pressure reaches the actuator.

-the noise is heard, and the sound only exists when oil has yet to reach the actuator when cold

note-during start up the timing chains speed is unaffected, the only stress it would see is the weight of the camshaft as the fixed component of the actuator bounces off the internal.

I fail to see how this weight can cause significant timing chain stress for two reasons. the timing chain is on a tensioner pulley which should absorb momentary stress, this would be nothing in comparison to the normal torque involved with starting a cold engine.

- also in normal operation with a normal functioning system when the oil control valve closes and the VTC actuator moves back to the retard position, the outer gear will catch the inner causing the same type of stress that Honda would have had to design the timing chain with.


the VTC grind on my 2015 fit has been a on going issue for me, and as I have researched many of you as well. I have found nothing but different opinions across the board. I can have the actuator replaced for 1400$ at the dealer and this "should" fix the rattle. however my fear is that when they open the valve cover I will be told the timing chain has stretched and needs replaced (sending me north of 2000). I can mitigate the noise by cycling the fuel pump and the engine fires much quicker.

 

My 2015 has the VTC grind. It's a cheap commuter car with 94k that's been paid off for years at this point. I just drive it and don't give it another thought at this point. I'm not willing to put 1400-2k into it but that's my personal situation.

 

I did mine when I had about 40K miles so it was still under warranty and free to me. But the dealer did manage to squeeze me for a wheel alignment saying it was needed as they had take the suspension apart to get the work done. Though I highly doubt that was true and if so, should have been covered if it truly was part of the job, I didn't put up much of a fight. Simply because I looked at it as paying $80 for a job that would have cost $1500 or maybe more.
The good news is, it has been 2+ years and 40K later, the noise is still gone. The bad news is, the car has developed some kind of fluid leak. I took it to an indy shop and they diagnosed and replaced the valve cover gasket. A year after that, I still found signs of fluid leak underneath near where the transmission meets the engine and oil was 1 quart low at change. 6 months later, there is still signs of fluid leak. A second indy shop said there was no sign of fluid leak.
Bottom line is, by having this done, it may open up a new problem.

 

If you don't believe your chain is stretching, why not leave it alone and see what happens?
Then, if/when your chain snaps you can justify a TypeR engine swap to the missus.

 

Sinister and cruel, but I like your thinking.

 

Why don'tcha make a poll thread to see what kindsa folks have had timing chain issues and who had vtc noise. I'd recommend including oil change interval and if the vehicle has ever overheated, along with year and mileage to get an idea of how much the vehicle sits (I believe sitting to be a significant factor in chain failure due to guide degradation on vehicles that use plastic/plastic coated chain guide components.)

 

My 15 Fit currently does experience the actuator noise on a cold start. It is a little annoying but I just mark it down as bad engineering from Honda on this part. It is a pretty common issue for Honda cars, so unless it is making a really bad noise, I won't bother with it and will continue to drive the car.