TCT Question
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
TCT Question
Hey guys and girls, got a quick question regarding my 04's TCT.
There's been a ticking noise coming from the car sometimes on idle ove the past year. I don't drive the car much so didn't pay much attention to it because the TCT was replaced with an OEM unit 4 years ago. In that time the car has covered between 15 to 20k miles. Since the car is making ticking noise now, which I'm pretty sure is TCT related, I wanted to ask your thoughts on what could cause the TCT to wear out so soon? Just in case I should be replacing anything else alongside the TCT, which I will upgrade to a billman/ballade item
Many thanks for your time and help
There's been a ticking noise coming from the car sometimes on idle ove the past year. I don't drive the car much so didn't pay much attention to it because the TCT was replaced with an OEM unit 4 years ago. In that time the car has covered between 15 to 20k miles. Since the car is making ticking noise now, which I'm pretty sure is TCT related, I wanted to ask your thoughts on what could cause the TCT to wear out so soon? Just in case I should be replacing anything else alongside the TCT, which I will upgrade to a billman/ballade item
Many thanks for your time and help
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 235
Likes: 81
From: Madison, WI
If you replace the TCT, holy crap, don't waste your money on Ballade. Get a Billman.
There is nothing else to do "while you're in there" replacing the TCT. It's an easy <10 minute job. I suppose you could replace your VTEC gasket, but you could also just do it later...
Are you sure the ticking is the TCT? I can never tell all those noises apart. Have you checked valve clearance? It doesn't hurt to do that every ~50k even though the owner's manual says 105k. Especially if you don't know the history of the car. My exhaust valves were all (intentionally?) set too tight. It seemed too consistent for them to have all randomly tightened up to .008".
As far as the TCT wearing out, I think the OEM unit is just prone to failure. But 15-20k does sound very low.
There is nothing else to do "while you're in there" replacing the TCT. It's an easy <10 minute job. I suppose you could replace your VTEC gasket, but you could also just do it later...
Are you sure the ticking is the TCT? I can never tell all those noises apart. Have you checked valve clearance? It doesn't hurt to do that every ~50k even though the owner's manual says 105k. Especially if you don't know the history of the car. My exhaust valves were all (intentionally?) set too tight. It seemed too consistent for them to have all randomly tightened up to .008".
As far as the TCT wearing out, I think the OEM unit is just prone to failure. But 15-20k does sound very low.
Last edited by Save the Manual Wagons!; Sep 9, 2022 at 07:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
If you replace the TCT, holy crap, don't waste your money on Ballade. Get a Billman.
There is nothing else to do "while you're in there" replacing the TCT. It's an easy <10 minute job. I suppose you could replace your VTEC gasket, but you could also just do it later...
Are you sure the ticking is the TCT? I can never tell all those noises apart. Have you checked valve clearance? It doesn't hurt to do that every ~50k even though the owner's manual says 105k. Especially if you don't know the history of the car. My exhaust valves were all (intentionally?) set too tight. It seemed too consistent for them to have all randomly tightened up to .008".
As far as the TCT wearing out, I think the OEM unit is just prone to failure. But 15-20k does sound very low.
There is nothing else to do "while you're in there" replacing the TCT. It's an easy <10 minute job. I suppose you could replace your VTEC gasket, but you could also just do it later...
Are you sure the ticking is the TCT? I can never tell all those noises apart. Have you checked valve clearance? It doesn't hurt to do that every ~50k even though the owner's manual says 105k. Especially if you don't know the history of the car. My exhaust valves were all (intentionally?) set too tight. It seemed too consistent for them to have all randomly tightened up to .008".
As far as the TCT wearing out, I think the OEM unit is just prone to failure. But 15-20k does sound very low.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 496
Likes: 93
I know people don't like Alex, and you can find plenty of stories on here, but their TCT is a completely acceptable product. Not everyone wants to send Billman their TCTs for a core exchange. I've had a Ballade TCT for like 6 years without issue.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,734
Likes: 632
The TCT doesn't wear out, the guides and chain do. A small amount of chain stretch and guide wear will require more tension from the TCT. The replacement TCTs solve this issue by putting the piston slightly closer to the guide and increasing oil flow to the unit. You can tune the TCT, the unit has a bypass valve that can be adjusted, but ain't nobody got time for that.
Registered User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 555
From: Munich - Germany
Sorry, but the Bypass valve can not be adjusted. It´s a unit with a ball and spring inside, crimped close from the Factory. Exactly like the Banjo Bolts for the piston oil squirters.
The Bypass valve unit is then screwed into the TCT boby wich is also crimped so that the Bypass valve dont come loose.
You could screw it out of the TCT Body, that´s all.
On could also consider to buy the BLOX https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-mo...w-tct-1199207/ or the TODA TCT.
The Bypass valve unit is then screwed into the TCT boby wich is also crimped so that the Bypass valve dont come loose.
You could screw it out of the TCT Body, that´s all.
On could also consider to buy the BLOX https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-mo...w-tct-1199207/ or the TODA TCT.
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 318
Likes: 45
From: Plano Texas
VIDEO….
Hello Fizzle,
Not sure how Billman handles shipping out of USA. However, if it were me, I would make a video of starting the car and post that. Someone would be able to better diagnosis your issue.
Have a good day and best of luck to you!
Not sure how Billman handles shipping out of USA. However, if it were me, I would make a video of starting the car and post that. Someone would be able to better diagnosis your issue.
Have a good day and best of luck to you!
