Ever since I got my car, the thing that has been bugging me is the 'tick' of the engine. I know the engine isn't supposed to be dead quiet, but this does sound a little odd to me. I think it's the valve clearance.

I've searched the forums and it doesn't seem to be a very rampant issue. Also, many have stated that a little noise is ok, but this seems a little too loud.

I posted a video to show how loud mine can get. When I zoom in around 0:05, you can start to hear the higher-pitch ticking I'm talking about.

YouTube - Fit Engine Idle

So do your guys' engines sound like this?

 

How many miles on the car?, Sounds like you need to go dealer and get the valves adjusted if under warranty. What kind of oil do you use? It could be a lot of things, but your right it is to loud.

 

It's at almost 18k miles. The worst part is that it's been like this since I bought the car.

As for oil, it's at 10% on the MM so I'm going to change the oil tomorrow.

From what I've read, the valve adjustment isn't necessarily covered under warranty, which is unfortunate. Do you know if this is true?

 

Probably not past the first year or 12000 miles, 18000 on the original oil is way to long even for synthetics with out getting the oil analyzed. Make sure theres oil in the engine, if after you change the oil and it still sounds like that get valve adjusted. Hows your mpg?, With all that clatter I would expect it to be low.

 

Oh, sorry, I've already changed the oil. I'm going to change my oil AGAIN tomorrow.

My mpg on average has been 30 almost on the dot. It's not too bad from what I've seen.

Thanks for the help so far. I'll make sure to keep you guys updated on this situation.

 

30 mpg is good with a that clatter, try to take it to a dealer it should be under warranty, but that doesn't mean Honda will do anything. Ive had problems with Honda warranting things that I thought they should. Good Luck

 

I've got 75k miles and I think my engine sounds a little better.

 

mine sounds alot alike, not as loud though and that high pitch friction noise sounds worrisome.

funny how our 1.5L engines sound like old school diesels.

 

Only engines with hydraulic lifters don't have lifter noise.....You ought to hear a Harley Shovel Head with a high lift racing cam and solid lifters set at 0 clearance. .... It sounds like someone is inside it with a ball peen hammer and it is perfectly normal..... Worry when there is not enough clearance and you hear nothing... That is when you will burn valves.

 

I would take it to a dealer, They might look at it for free under warranty but they will say valve adjustment not covered. It almost sounds like carbon knock because it rattling the valves, but the mileage is not that bad. If you have to add oil its the valves, when the valve train is loose it burns oil seen that problem more than once.

 

sounds like injector noise to me

 

That's what's very confusing to me about valve noise. There isn't a single criteria where I can say "That's it!", especially when I've never heard it before.

I'll take it to the dealer and let you guys know what's going on. If it is the valves, I'll probably do a DIY guide so I can get some experience while helping others out.

 

I changed my spark plugs the other day... and I noticed the same noise, but not as pronounced.

then.. I saw this yotube post of a prelude noise (he found out it was loose spark plug)
YouTube - Rod knock honda

so today I tighten the plugs and the noise is GONE.

 

maybe your vtek is popping.lol