Valve noise @ idle. How loud is it suppose to be?

RYU

RYU

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I had my valve adjusted by a reputable NSX mechanic here in Socal. I actually had my valves, cam plugs, TB/WP, seals, and other items done at the same time.

The car has been running great and it's been about 3500 miles since I had the work done a few months ago. The idle is smooth and it has about 86k miles and is a 91 car.

Problem: I'm starting to notice the valves chatter/click more than what I would consider "normal". The clicking noise is not too loud to alarm me yet but I would assume after a relatively fresh service you shouldn't hear any valve noise at all.

Questions:
1. Is there suppose to be some noise here? I remember my integra twin cam always had a bit of clicking noise.
2. Could this noise be caused by something else? Maybe a vacuum bypass valve or a smog pump of some kind?
3. What other issues should I be concerned about?

It's really sort of embarrassing when I sit in the parking lot in idle and the damn thing is chattering like that. I'd rather not drop it off at the dealer mechanic before knowing more about the problem. They are about 1hr drive from me.

Please help educate me! Thanks!

UPDATE: I just realized I haven't checked my oil since about 1000 miles into the oil change. I'll check that right away later today.
 
Mine chatters more than any cars I've heard, even after an valve adjustment... It is louder during the first 15 sec of a cold start.

You probably notice vibration under 2k rpm as well.. and that is normal.
 
Yes, there is a bit of valve noise but its hard to explain how loud it is supposed to be. Loose is better than tight so a little noise is always a good thing.

The only other noise that I can think of is the ABS pump, but that is usually only noticable soon after start up.
 
dablackgoku1234 said:
on a cold engine or fully warmed up?
Click to expand...
That's a good question. I haven't checked but my best recollection is when it's cold. I will be more aware next time. Is there a difference?

goldNSX said:
Could be anything. Highly guessed: LMA.
Click to expand...
What's LMA?

nis350 said:
Mine chatters more than any cars I've heard, even after an valve adjustment... It is louder during the first 15 sec of a cold start.

You probably notice vibration under 2k rpm as well.. and that is normal.
Click to expand...
Haven't noticed any vibration under 2k rpm yet... It's pretty smooth so far. I have a quiet HKS exhaust so it allows for noises such as these to be more prevalent; both a good and a bad thing I guess.

Big_D said:
Yes, there is a bit of valve noise but its hard to explain how loud it is supposed to be. Loose is better than tight so a little noise is always a good thing.

The only other noise that I can think of is the ABS pump, but that is usually only noticable soon after start up.
Click to expand...
I have the ABS chatter too. It only comes on during a cold start after not driving it for a couple of weeks. Normally comes out on colder days as well. Yea, definitely not the same noise i'm thinking of.


Thanks guys for your help. I will continue to observe. I think I can consider this an item to monitor and not really be worried about yet.
 
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Remember, injectors also tick during their cycle as well. Valvetrain and injector noise combined is a tad noisy.
 
Big_D said:
Lost Motion Assembly

Some good reading...

http://nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=904063
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. It was a good education. It looks like the LMAs reside under the valve cover which I hope I don't have to take apart just to check.

I'm not sure what the purpose is of them though. I've built old pushrod v8s before that have a pushrod/lifter assembly but i've never really opened up a DOHC engine. Trying to figure out what's worse case scenario if they fail which wasn't mentioned in the thread.

i'll do more research...
 
I asked this same question at NSXPO 2006 as I was a new NSX owner but with decades as a multiple Honda owner.
I was told by very experienced person, (remaining nameless) the engine was designed to run with a load and not at idle.
Mine sounds like a loose Volkswagon. As stated before, "better loose than tight".
With a load, off idle it sounds GREAT!
The nature of the beast.

Cheers
nigel
 
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my car sounds like a sowing machine at idle and at low revs.
 
Valvetrain noise is normal with these cars, some are louder than others however. I've had my valves adjusted and they sound like chimpanzees banging on tin cans.
 
Fo the new owner or those in isolation,engine noises need to be compared to other nsx's.If you think something is wrong,or have doubt,it will only seem worse as time goes on.Proof of normalcy is the only cure,We see this in medicine all the time!
 
Mine is also quite noisy, but others have told me it's normal. Almost sounds like a sewing machine at idle. Although I switched to synthetic and noticed it makes a bit less noise.

It's noisier at startup (when cold), but is less so once it's up to temp. I believe this is normal.
 

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