Engine Noise
December 18th, 2007
Recently, my city engine noise starts to get louder, and a faint rattling sound accompanies the noisy engine. I sent it in for service and the service centre advice that the tappet has run out of alignment and would need re-alignment. This would cost $300 which would not be part of warranty coverage. No reason was given, except that, its just not covered by warranty they exclaimed. I sent the car in and the car has to be left overnight for the engine to cool down before they can open up and do the re-alignment. The following evening I went to collect the car and the problem was still there. The technician suggest to bring the car back the following Monday for a detail check up. And so I did. I sent the car in on one early Monday morning. Tuesday come, the car was not done, they need to call the Honda headquarters to get permission to remove the engine. Wednesday come, Honda Headquarters has yet to reply. By Thursday, my patient ran out and give the service station an ear full. An hour later, they called to update that Honda HQ have replied with a a list of items to check and that’s what they did. By Friday evening, they have finish the checklist, which is mainly cleaning ups of the engine mounting, etc. I got my car and was delighted to find that this $500 bill was covered by the warranty. The car engine felt like new, and the entire car was as tight as ever. It felt like a brand new car. It was an exciting drive and renew the love for my city. It helps me to appreciate the car more, especially the car being so responsive and the drive was such a joy. Overall, the experience was dreadful, not being with a car for a week was difficult, but in the end, the wait was blessed with a brand new feeling car. Honda service centre experience is never pleasant, but at least, they get the things done, even if the customer has to wait for a while, in my case, 5 days.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:38 am
Sounded really serious and good to know Honda did cover it. A lesson learnt here is you may need to ask another Honda person of the warranty. Their service person sounds like they didn’t know.
P/s: you gotta use paragraphs man. :p
-posted from an iPhone.
December 21st, 2007 at 3:17 am
Glad the car is new again! BTW, your post how come all cramp into one single paragraph?
January 27th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
What sort of noise is it?
My city is rattling (on the driver’s side and steering wheel), literally, whenever it pick-up speed from a halt position. I wonder what could be it’s problem. Engine mounting? Gear box? I’ve sent it to the Honda Service centre but they haven’t figured out what’s wrong with it. They’ve suggested a change of gear oil, spark plug, etc. But no improvement.
Weird thing is, it becomes more serious whenever I turn on the air-cond. I’ve to actually turn off the air-cond to overtake cars. My grandma’s car could do better than that!!!!
Will send it in again tomorrow.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Hi Alex… my noise is from the outside, when the engine is iddle, there is some loose change (sound like loose coins in your pocket) rattling sound.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:49 am
I have the similar problem with my City for weeks. Loud irritating noise can be heard from the engine when it touches 50KPH, getting even louder at 90KPH. The noise gone when I go above 100KPH. Sent it for checking at Honda svc.
They replaced the rear right hand wheel bearing for free as it’s covered under warranty. No more noise & it feels comfortable & relax driving my City again
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
it’s normal as mine city faced the same problem.
it’s like rattling sound as though as there are some loosen metals hitting each others.
got it check once but the still the same.
in the 2nd time, got the service team to clean up the incoming air manifold thoroughly.
sound went off and now only my favourite air plane zooming sound during accelerating…
guess what my idsi can produce 725km in a full tank in a approx 85% highway journey…
April 13th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Dear Honda
I write to you to notify an upset incident happen to me & Honda Malaysia, or perhaps Honda as whole.
My Honda City with 3 years old has suffers of gear box problem. Now only I know that Honda’s standard has dropped & produce lousy car. This is a big shame to Honda.
The reasons I said that are:
1. the usage of this car is less than 80,000km,
2. the age of this car is only 3 years plus,
3. this car has good maintenance & good services record with Honda services centers,
4. gear oil has been changed by Honda service center as per Honda recommended schedule,
5. zero modification to the said car,
6. the lifespan of a Honda city gear box shall never as short as my car,
7. Honda never built this type of lousy & low quality product,
8. A RM80,000 Honda car shouldn’t last only 3 years plus, this is a big shame to Honda,
9. The gear box of – RM20,000 is too expensive, moreover this car is only 3 years plus old, and
10. the more important thing is this problem has been reported to Honda Malaysia 3 weeks ago, and the case remain unresolved. My whole family is taking risk of life by driving a problematic new Honda car everyday.
I didn’t aspect a new one, but at lease a good attitude toward the case. I don’t mind a re-con gear box as replacement. At lease I still believe Honda is responsible to their product as well as their customer.
My family has four Honda cars and we like Honda so much. But after this incident, we will never go to Honda again unless Honda gives me back the hope.
I really hope Honda give me a hand in this case.
July 12th, 2010 at 7:46 am
My old Honda Civic EG is 17 years old. Yet, it never rattles like my City.
My 3 year old Honda City has rattling dashboard and steering wheel cover. The SC has tried to fix the problem 4 times. It never worked.
The problem is small, yet it is so freaking annoying.
No more Malaysian made Honda for me. Maybe Mazda 3 next time.