Looking for help identifying the sound I originally thought was the TCT. When I listen now that I've replace the TCT, it sounds like the top end. I did my last valve adjustment (2 months ago) on the tighter side so wondering if that could be part of it. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but the car was also quite low on oil when this happened. It began immediately following a bad shift where I failed to match the revs and it had to jump up about 1.5k. No check engine light or DTCs present whatsoever. What I'm mainly looking to find out is whether this is going to require an full engine breakdown and rebuild or if there are other avenues I should investigate (jumped timing, bad lifters, readjust valves, etc) before tearing the engine apart. Videos are from after replacing TCT and doing oil change.

 

May want to pull that valve cover and have a look. You can also pull the Vtec solenoid and look for any signs of metal in the screen.

On the first video, especially with it not being consistent at first I was going to say make sure the heat sheild on the passenger side near the battery is not loose. But the second video sounds very rythmic and less tinny, so thinking it may be top end noise.

Just to make sure, when you replaced the TCT which TCT did you use and did you make sure you released it properly (Aka on an OEM, pull the retaining pin out of it after installing) ?

 

Also, was it a downshift into the right gear but just not rev matched, or did it over rev at all? If the latter, look up on s2ki how to recognize cracked retainers and make sure to look at those closely when you have the cover off. I would not start it until you have checked it out well. Inspect the retainers, check valve clearances and make sure the set nuts on the valve adjustment are not loose, etc. It is always hard to diagnose sounds via the net with pc and headphones but better to be safe than keep starting it

 

Replaced OEM TCT with the Billman one, pulled the pin through the inspection hole like instructed. The downshift was in the right gear, just didn't blip the throttle enough. Will definitely follow your advice regarding not starting it and familiarizing myself with broken retainers and get the valve cover off tonight.

 

Pull the vc.

 

Hello guys !
I'm slipping in this thread, because i have a similar problem. I didn't miss match revs or anything on the "driving" side. But i have a similar knocking sound that start when the motor is running for about 5 min.

I You can ear it in this video, for the 4-5 first minutes, nothing, then it slowly comen and you can ear it clearly at 5:42.


I took the car to my local jdm shop (on a trailer) to be looked at, the guy first thoughts on sound only is that it needs "valve adjustment", he's going to work on it next friday.

Any idea ? Do i have to prepare myself for a big expense ?

Thank you !

 

Bit of piston slap is normal
adjust lash

 

I'm a newbie in mecanic, but wouldn't a piston slap be less "noisy" when the motor is warm ?

 

This sounds like a loose valve lash as the shop indicated, aka a valve with too wide a clearance, it's more noticeable at low RPMs. The mechanic should be able to tell you if valve clearance is in spec for your model.

 

Okay, thats quite reassuring ! He's working on it tomorrow, also installing the fmous "combo" : ACT HD pressure plate + ACT Flywheel Prolite.
I'll post an update about the noise; if it was indeed just a valve lash !