Hi all,

I have a MY 2000 (UK model), 75k on the clock. I've just been out for a drive this morning and on the way home noticed a noise which disturbed me.

Sounds are always difficult to describe, however I'd describe it as sounding similar to a metal grinder heard faintly at a very long distance. The noise was certainly present, but not obtrusive. And I would describe it as a metallic grind more than a rattle (but it could still be a rattle).

It only seems to occur infrequently when coasting with the throttle completely closed, usually in 3rd gear. To produce it I had to lift and coast, then after 2-5 seconds I would hear it, but only maybe 10% of the time under these circumstances. It seemed to happen more when lifting off in the midrange, but it also happened once or twice at low rpm and I think once in VTEC range.

If I had to guess I'd say it seemed to emanate from the transmission. It might have been my imagination but I thought I could detect a little extra vibration through the gear lever if I left a finger tip on it while this noise could be heard. But I would not swear to this.

I could not rule out the engine as a source either. Opening the window to listen did not reveal much.

Its not the overrun from the exhaust, I know what that sounds like.

Car is standard apart from a de-cat.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

After writing this I checked the oil, it was on the min marker. Could this have been VTEC rattle?

 

This sounds similar to what I heard when my '03 started to consume oil. First time, the oil level got low and I had a similar sound. It was explained to me as noise from the timing chain due to low oil level. Started checking oil level regularly after that and have never heard this sound again.