Tick tick tick noise

Hi,

I got a 2000 Civic DX, 40k. I get a strange metallic ticking/popping sound
usually during half throttle when accelerating through 40-60 mph. It doesn't
happen when I floor it. It disappears when I reach cruising speed. It only
happens when my engine is fully warmed up after having driven 5-10 miles. It
doesn't happen when I rev the engine in park.

I took it to a couple mechanics...they can't hear it, but they think it's
probably misfiring (I thought my car had a knock sensor), and I need a
tuneup. I was also told it might be an exhaust leak or my valves should be
adjusted.

Any thoughts?

 

You're about the right mileage/age for catalytic converter heatshields to
start rattling, especially if you live in the frost belt.<GRRRRR> Do you
get it at approx. the same RPMs in every gear? Your description is kinda
vague but I guess it *could* be the valves which need adjusting - probably
time anyway if they haven't been looked at before.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

You're about the right mileage/age for catalytic converter heatshields to

Hmm, well, the history of the car is this:

2 years in upstate New York
1 year in Atlanta
1 year in Los Angeles

I've probably driven cross country 4 or 5 times in this car. I bought it
back when I was in college, and spent a year in Atlanta doing Americorps.
Originally from LA.

Do you

Yes, but most pronounced in 2nd and 3rd...probably around 3000rpm, but I
don't have a tach.

Your description is kinda

Possibly also an exhaust leak? Could it be pinging?

 

If it's the heatshields it'll get gradually worse and the noise will tend
to change character.

It's early for an exhaust/muffler leak; other than the muffler itself, the
only place I've seen an exhaust leak on a Honda is the front of the B-pipe,
right behind where it is fastened to the catalytic converter. IME Honda
mufflers tend to last ~70K miles here in the N.E. and the B-pipe often
lasts an extra 10K miles on top of that, so almost worth doing both at the
same time. To test for pinging, try a tankful of a higher grade gas to see
if it eliminates it.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??