SilverDreamRacer

Comes in about 3000rpm when decelerating and sounds like it's coming from the centre of the dash though very hard to pinpoint. It will not do it when at standstill in neutral so I'm assuming it's in the transmission somewhere. Also, it does not occur when cold and only starts after about 15mins. Is it likely to be something to do with the clutch? Car is a Feb 03 52 plate. An ideas or similar experiences out there?

s2kbad

Try the following and report back. Upon the initiation of the sound press the clutch - do you find that the sound disappears completely?

RobJ1

Could it be the TCT ?

I had a rattle and thought it could be the TCT so paid

SilverDreamRacer

Thanks guys. Clutch depression was a good idea - tried it and bringing the revs back up to 3k and holding brings the sound back in so can dismiss the clutch most probably. Thanks. Not sure otherwise - had a service in May and have Honda HFS 5W-40 (previously Havoline Extra 10W-40), and always maintain levels in the top quarter so I'd hope the oil is ok. I've got a vague recollection of someone once mentioning a tensioning mechanism possibly on the timing belt? Is this the function of the TCT?

MC_BLADE

I'm not sure what your trying to say or what test you have done - go a run decelerate in gear when it rumbles dip the cluch, does it go? if yes its cluch rattle and is harmless (solution is new cluch, if the noise bothers you that much) If not see below.

TCT stands for Timing Chain Tensioner

Does it do it at idle? also does it do it from cold? or only when its warm?

SilverDreamRacer

Thanks MC BLADE. Last bit first - it only does it once warmed up (say after 5 mins) and doesn't do it when idleing at standstill and/or reving which at first made me think it was the clutch as I thought I'd read something similar about the clutch mechanism (but on earlier cars). The clutch test I did was while coasting and decelerating dwon through the revs, once the sound came in, depress the clutch (which obvioulsy lets the revs drop), then bring the revs back to about 3000 with the clutch still depressed and it happens, therefore I think the clutch can be discounted? Seems odd to me that it makes the sound while coasting along the road with the clutch depressed at 3000ish rpm, but not when at standstill at 3000ish rpm. It's not a major problem, just something I'd like to sort if it's a simple thing.

MC_BLADE

I dont think its your clutch or TCT to be honest as it does not do it at idle and the like you say it does it with the cluch depressed.

Sounds like the dive shaft is off balance or somthing to be honest, but surely that would not die down with the cluch depressed.

Could be the syncromech, do you have trouble selecting gear? My advice would be to change the transmission(gearbox) oil if it hasnt been done? How many miles has the car done? and see if it makes a difference also check theres no bits in the oil you drain out.

SilverDreamRacer

Thanks - yes, seems weird and sometimes I think it's nothing, sometimes possibly sign of something more sinister. Gearbox is a bit notchy selecting 3rd, though I thought this was normal. Car has done 47000 miles. You might be right about the drive shaft, though as you say the above tests should discount it. Weird. I'll check whether the gearbox oil was changed at the recent 45000 mile service when I get home as I can't remember off the top of my head.

MC_BLADE

Have you come up with any conclusions yet?

SilverDreamRacer

Gearbox oil isn't changed at the 45000 mile service. No other ideas at present so just going to monitor the situation.