I've given this a bit of thought and the following "could" be the cause:
-bad timing chain tensioner.
-very badly adjusted valve (or broken).
-bad bearing in water pump, alternator, idler pulley, or A/C compressor.
-really loose heat shield.
-frayed serpentine belt.

Do you have a CEL?

 

Thanks, but all of those are above my head. I don't know what a CEL is, so I can't answer that one. I'm hoping Honda will be able to fix the problem very cheaply. My car has just crossed the warranty max mileage.

 

CELL = Check Engine Light. This comes on in your dash display and shows up as a picture of a little engine. If you have a sensor problem, this light will come on. A loud clanking noise could also be associated with a sensor registering an out of range signal.
If the above stuff is beyond you, I think you are wise to just take the car to the dealer to have it looked at. It could be something really simple and cheap to fix or it could be at the other end of the spectrum - complex and expensive. Keep your fingers crossed and let us know what it turns out to be.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
CELL = Check Engine Light.

 

check your oil, you MAY have a similar problem i'm having with my car. i really hope you haven't been running your car on low oil. if that's the case, spun bearings are the likely cause of your clanking

 

bent valve or spun bearing.

 

Bent valve? That's very serious! I just pray it's not that.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by alfredo_mancho
check your oil, you MAY have a similar problem i'm having with my car.

 

for the bent valves you can do a compression test... check if all cylinders have similar compression. I think the spun bearing test is visually done...
Beroz

 

any kind of engine work done usually requires lots of labour, so that's where you're gonna get nailed. as for parts, i'm not sure how much it costs, maybe someone else can chime in.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Purple_sky