Strange sound during VTEC engagement -> RESOLUTION in post #40

[PsyDoc]

Hi all, sorry haven't posted for a while, been real busy-

(The conclusion to this is on the third page, by the way) ;)

Anyhow, just started opening up the ol' girl and hitting vtec. However, I noticed a very strange sound yesterday that occurred each time I hit vtec.

As I approached 6000rpm and climbed to 7000 I heard this loud "scraping, rattling (Like rocks and pebbles), scratching, wooshing" sound coming from the right lower passenger side glove box/behind the glove box. It got louder as the rpms climbed from 6 to 7000. Can this be VTEC, sorry (I-VTEC) engagment??!?!?!??!

Now, I took all stuff out of the glove box, left it open, and it seemed louder. Then I thought it might be the window or something....and no on that too. Under the hood nothing is loose that I can see or feel. The engine has full oil. No funny smells or check engine light. Again, I only hear it when going into vtec as soon as I let off the throttle it dissapears. I had a 2000 civic si so I know the sound is not normal at all.

Noel....Any advice? I have an appointment on Monday to get it looked at. Otherwise no ideas.

I am also getting the radio creaking taken care of (I Hope :)

Thanks in advance-

Rob

[APOGEE]

Sounds like mine. I was told it was the vtec

[PsyDoc]

Apogee, I pm'd you. This sounds very wrong..... :eek:

[MemphisRheins]

yeah, Vtec shouldnt sound like that

[APOGEE]

Let me know what you find out from the technician on Monday. We discussed this earlier on a thread and the consensus was vtec (Go to search above and type in "vtec sounds"). I am no expert on it and it scared me the first time I heard it. Have had no problems however.

[APOGEE]

Sucking/Whooshing Noise Over 5.5krpm?? - thread I had in mind.

[PsyDoc]

Sucking/Whooshing Noise Over 5.5krpm?? - thread I had in mind.

Thanks I feel a bit better. I will let you all know on Tuesday what the deal is. Or.....Noel will tell us :)

[yf1]

Hi - I have experienced this sound -is it like someone is shaking a can filled with metal ball bearings? It is quite a metallic sound at 6000rpm.

I have discovered that it must relate to the viscosity of the oil. When I changed to a slightly thicker Shell Helix Ultra Oil 5-40 - I never got that sound - EVER. Now I have changed back to Castrol oil and the sound is back. It is definately related to oil - I am sure of it.

What the sound is I am not sure - but I don't think it is abnormal.

[jcg878]

I have that sound also in the VTEC range. After reading how common it is (i.e. universal), my concern ended :thumbsup:

[PsyDoc]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I feel better that I am not damaging the car or rather that the car is not going to EXPLODE upon VTEC :laugh: . I was suprised that you all have heard that sound but have not reported it as a typical problem. Cause it don't sound too good..... but if you guys got that sound and your car is still driving then...oh well.

[robert_tg]

it's your TSX going "oh..YES !!!! giv'it to me ! OH YESSSSS!!!!"
:D

[PsyDoc]

it's your TSX going "oh..YES !!!! giv'it to me ! OH YESSSSS!!!!"
:D

Hey, good reframe, Robert! :lol:

[PsyDoc]

Talked to the service guy when I brought the car in, this guy has a history of buying and racing NSX's. Cool guy. ANyways, he said that the "sound" is not normal. He thinks it could be the timing chain (he's seen that before). I will let you all know when I find out. One perk....I got to take home a 05' silver TL. Nice cruiser and sweet stereo :)

[APOGEE]

ANyways, he said that the "sound" is not normal. He thinks it could be the timing chain (he's seen that before). I will let you all know when I find out. One perk....I got to take home a 05' silver TL. Nice cruiser and sweet stereo :)


NOW I am very interested in this. Please let me know what you find out....Everyone (non Acura Technicians) tell me this is normal. If it is not I will have them look at in when I go in next oil change. the sound has alway bothered me.

[robert_tg]

Talked to the service guy when I brought the car in, this guy has a history of buying and racing NSX's. Cool guy. ANyways, he said that the "sound" is not normal. He thinks it could be the timing chain (he's seen that before). I will let you all know when I find out. One perk....I got to take home a 05' silver TL. Nice cruiser and sweet stereo :)


Did he road-test & actually hear the noise to reach that opinion or just based on your description ?

[PsyDoc]

He wasn't really convinced, but based on the description he thought it might be this. Tomorrow he will test drive it and give me his thoughts.....I'll keep you all updated.

Rob

[PsyDoc]

Ok folks,

I picked up the car today and the tech guys says its actually the ac lines vibrating against eachother and they were repositioned. Great....Sounds legitimate to me. They also worked on a creak in the rear shelf and one behind the cd player.

Got in the car, took off......creak in the rear shelf....still there.....but the creak behind the cd player IS gone. Hit VTEC and the sound is still kinda there, albiet a bit quieter......I'm not sure what was loose in there. I checked it out myself and everything felt tight. I don't know but at least its on file that the sound WAS there. Otherwise, did you know they use 5w/20 in the TL's and RL's? Apparently they put synthetic blend in ALL their cars.

Oh well, look into it on your end and let me know if THEY say its the a/c lines.

Rob

[HondaMan]

Yeah, I was worried by this (abnormal sounding) VTEC WOT noise after installing my Injen CAI (it's very noticeable after this mod) and I was relieved to found it was "normal". However, I don't recall noticing it before the CAI install.

[MemphisRheins]

I have the K&N Typhoon , and I do not have that sound at All....so no idea...

[PsyDoc]

Yeah, I was worried by this (abnormal sounding) VTEC WOT noise after installing my Injen CAI (it's very noticeable after this mod) and I was relieved to found it was "normal". However, I don't recall noticing it before the CAI install.

I guess the issue I am running into is....that I cannot pinpoint what the noise actually is.....it sounds more than just some a/c lines vibrating. It's hard to accept the whole "normal" thing when it sounds so un-honda like. I mean I will live with it until I get to FL then I will take it to the Acura dealer down there and see what they have to say.

[APOGEE]

This issue has got me worrying. I just made an appointment myself for next week. I will let you know what the Service Techs in MA have to say about it. On another note, I noticed a small tanish mark coming through the paint high on my hood. It looks like it is rusting from the inside out. I am going to have them take a look at that as well. How quickly the feeling of joy turns to dread...

[PsyDoc]

Yeah....I know :(

[MemphisRheins]

hmm, well the two things I have different then all the rest of u, are a K&N CAI, and I removed the Head shielding/ Soundproofing under the hood, Ive never heard a noise like what any of you are describing, so I dont know if either of that has anything to do with it...just thinking of what I did right, lol, kinda weird , except for this, the Cabin Lights, Ive had every other problem the TSX has had.

[jonesy]

I too have noticed this noise and I FREAKED OUT when i first noticed it. Usually the radio is on loud enough that I wouldn't hear a passenger next to me yelling, but one morning while on a trip i had the car quiet and noticed this. Doesn't seem to be tranny related as I can reproduce the noise with the clutch in.

I'm due for my 10,000 soon so I might have them look at that, the damn creaking behind the rear shelf (i swear i hope someone fixes that soon, every one of these cars seems to have it and it is frickin' loud, especially for a near $30k car, i mean, my $17k mustang never made a sound). Please post back to this forum if you hear anything!

[PsyDoc]

I'm surprised no one hasn't figured it out yet....I gave a shout out to Noel but he must be pretty busy. Anyone know his email?

[HondaMan]

I'm suprised no one hasn't figured it out yet....I gave a shout out to Noel but he must be pretty busy. Anyone know his email?

Remember he is on Aussie time...hang tight, he will answer sooner or later.

[PsyDoc]

Just an update folks,

The dealer has had my car for two days now and they figured out what the sound is.........deformed heat shield, which rattles upon engagement of VTEC. They are replacing it free of charge. It is a factory defect. If you have this problem have them look at this area. Maybe its a future recall???

Also the creak in my back rear shelf area was a broken weld in the stamping.....They fixed that too under warranty. So there you have it.....

Deformed Heat shield and broken weld. Whats up with Honda quality?.....

[robert_tg]

Just an update folks,

The dealer has had my car for two days now and they figured out what the sound is.........deformed heat shield, which rattles upon engagement of VTEC. They are replacing it free of charge. It is a factory defect. If you have this problem have them look at this area. Maybe its a future recall???


haha interesting I was just going to comment on Memphis remark:

hmm, well the two things I have different then all the rest of u, are a K&N CAI, and I removed the Head shielding/ Soundproofing under the hood..........

I did some research and there is whole lot of opinions/theories/what-have-you ranging from
timing-chain to "it's normal ! just the cam changing profile..." to things-in-the-glove-box to hoses to pipes to fluid-in-the-climate system......yada yada
One single person stated that his tech disgnosed that "Heat shield" is the culprit. And noise gone.

There is another test for those of you still having this noise:
Turn your climate system to the LOWEST and turn off and bring it up to VTEC , see if you still hear that or less.

[robert_tg]

.........deformed heat shield, which rattles upon engagement of VTEC. They are replacing it free of charge. It is a factory defect....

Rob do you know if this defect is clearly visible ?

Cause if I bring my TSX in and tell Service this "defect" and ask for a replacement...
I will be damned if they insist on taking my car out for a dignosis-drive and hit VTEC...:mad:

[jcg878]

I will be damned if they insist on taking my car out for a dignosis-drive and hit VTEC...:mad:

:lol: How dare they drive it to diagnose the problem!!!

[robert_tg]

I just wonder if they will just replace the "defective" piece w/o taking mine to VTEC....let me do it ;)

[PsyDoc]

Robert,

Not sure about the actual shape of the heat shield....I will ask to see it when I pick it up tomorrow. The A/C thing did not work for me. Everything is real tight in there, meaning all the lines etc. A/C on or off no diff, but the noise was always there. Funny you mentioned Memphis's comment, I just remembered that myself about him removing the heat shield. If you don't want them to mess with your car then ask to go with the tech yourself.
I'm guessing if many people are having this problem, then it is probably a recall issue. We'll see....I'll take pics if I can..

Rob

[HondaMan]

Deformed Heat shield and broken weld. Whats up with Honda quality?.....

It's hard to be perfect and the Japanese are not perfect (trust me). ;)

[PsyDoc]

It's hard to be perfect and the Japanese are not perfect (trust me). ;)

yeah I know, I know.....I'm just being picky....Actually, I love my acura so far and the customer service has been outstanding at Brookfield. :grinno:

[APOGEE]

Ok. Just got back from the dealer. I went out with the tech and we drove around testing the vtec. It sounded fine. No rattle sound at all. It actually sounded good. Perhaps my car was cold or something the last time I tried this. I don't know. I am going to keep an eye on it and if it happens again try to determine the conditions. I tested it all the way home and it totally rocked.

Regarding my discoloration on the hood that turned to rust. They say a rock dinged the hood and broke the clear coat causing it to break down the paint underneath and rust. I have never heard of this and never had this happen before, but have no evidence or expertise to prove them wrong. So I guess I'm stuck having to go to a body shop and having it fixed before it gets really bad. Totally SUCKS!

[Noel]

Rob,

I've made some suggestions to you via PM. Perhaps you should raise your concerns with the dealership in reflect if the replacement heatshield does not fix this fault.

[PsyDoc]

Thanks for the feedback Noel and hope you had a nice vacation!

Well folks the dealership kept the car another day. Dean, the service rep said that while they replaced the heat shield, they have had to make other modifications to it because it is still rattling, albiet, intermittently. Apparently the mechanic wants to let the engine cool down completely and do a thorough warm up cycle to see if the expansion and contraction of the heat shield is causing the intermittent rattling upon VTEC engagement.

Yeah, I am a bit concerned that the mechanic is chewing up my clutch (and using up my gas) to diagnose this problem, but I want it on file and most importantly, I want it fixed. Dean said he didn't want me coming back for this problem again. I hope I don't have to.... I'll keep you posted on the bad weld in the back shelf and the mysterious noise.

[PsyDoc]

Ok. Just got back from the dealer. I went out with the tech and we drove around testing the vtec. It sounded fine. No rattle sound at all. It actually sounded good. Perhaps my car was cold or something the last time I tried this. I don't know. I am going to keep an eye on it and if it happens again try to determine the conditions. I tested it all the way home and it totally rocked.

Regarding my discoloration on the hood that turned to rust. They say a rock dinged the hood and broke the clear coat causing it to break down the paint underneath and rust. I have never heard of this and never had this happen before, but have no evidence or expertise to prove them wrong. So I guess I'm stuck having to go to a body shop and having it fixed before it gets really bad. Totally SUCKS!

Glad to hear the "noise" is gone, let me know if it comes back. Sucks about the paint though........

[Noel]

Rob,

They shouldn't be pushing hard to fix whatever problems unless speed or RPM related. If they don't fix, raise my suggestions to them.

[PsyDoc]

Hi guys,

FINALLY an answer to that crazy ball bearing, sucking, wooshing, scratching noise......Turns out it was not the heat shield at all but in fact the flex head attachment (not sure the exact name) below the exhaust manifold. I have attached a pic and circled the culprit.. Apparently the springs and donut that hold the flextube together are no good and they are rattling when engaging VTEC because at that RPM that portion of the tube is being forced down causing the rattling. They replaced number 12 (E-4, the graphite composite donut) and 13 and 14 (springs and bolts) as circled......No problems now what so ever. The heat shield was not distorted as originally believed (a ploy to buy time I think) but either way the sound is totally gone. Guess what...the parts manager told me this IS a recall on RSX's. He thinks it is a matter of time before the TSX's are recalled for this issue. By the way, you can use (according to the mechanic), parts from an RSX Type S to repair this issue. Please if you have this problem, have the dealer check this out and bring in this diagram to show them specifically. I love reving it up now...smooth and silky baby!

[Joker]

Thanks for the update PsyDoc!!

Joker - who is glad you got her fixed :thumbsup:

[PsyDoc]

Thanks for the update PsyDoc!!

Joker - who is glad you got her fixed :thumbsup:

Thanks! I hope this helps you all out cause it is apparently NOT normal. If they don't believe you or give you a hard time call Brookfield Acura and have them speak to Dean, the service rep. He'll straighten it out!

[APOGEE]

Hey that's great news PsyDoc! Glad to hear that it turned out ok. Finally!

[PsyDoc]

Hey that's great news PsyDoc! Glad to hear that it turned out ok. Finally!

Yeah, thanks! They also fixed the bad stamp weld in the back, that was driving me crazy....And then I was driving away and heard this other crazy squeek....Turns out all of the repairs and the techs and mechs in and out of the car stressed the seat springs in the lumbar region. They needed to take the back off the seat and oil and place felt between the springs and the seat. But when all was said and done, the car was quiet as a vault! Finally!

[robert_tg]

:woot: that's awesome Doc ! mystery solved. I must say that Service is very impressive.
Hope they'd issue the recall soon.

[PsyDoc]

Oh well, read the post "So very embarrased!" :bawling:

[notsob23]

What usually happens if there is a recall?

[06NBP6MT]

Anybody ever figure out what causes this?

[IranBT]

Anybody ever figure out what causes this?

Read the first post. It specifically say's "The conclusion to this thread is on page 3"

Go to page 3 and see PsyDoc's reply with the diagram.

[06NBP6MT]

Read thread "So very embarrassed" the noise came back.

[gmchu]

Where is this new thread?? I can't find it?? I hit VTEC yesterday in my 07 TSX and I noticed this sound coming from the passenger side...this can't be coincidence...is this a problem or is it normal??

EDIT: I still have not had my first oil change yet, I have over 2000 miles on the car with 50% oil use left according to the MID. I heard that you will usually see metal shavings in the oil after the first oil change because of engine break-in. Could this be what is causing this noise??

[SoCaliTrojan]

EDIT: I still have not had my first oil change yet, I have over 2000 miles on the car with 50% oil use left according to the MID. I heard that you will usually see metal shavings in the oil after the first oil change because of engine break-in. Could this be what is causing this noise??

I don't think so, or else everyone would be hearing the same thing. My car has never had any vtec problems...the only thing that tells me that vtec engaged was the sudden jump of the tachometer's rate of acceleration

[SoCaliTrojan]

[QUOTE=gmchu]Where is this new thread?? I can't find it??QUOTE]

I found the link here: http://tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7210

I guess the thread should continue there instead of here...

[cogitate228]

Last post on that topic:

"05-12-2005, 11:06 PM #8"

Not sure if it was fixed or not...

[PsyDoc]

So, I still have that "sound" at some 37,000 miles. I ran out of time trying to have it fixed on so many ocassions. I am not a defeatist but it seems like everyone (or almost everyone) has this sound. If it really begins to bother me then I will revisit it prior to the end of my warranty. Sorry I haven't given an update for a while. Otherwise the car runs great. :rolleyes:

[MemphisRheins]

Psydoc your alive ! thought you got lost in that cat skills

[PsyDoc]

Nah just bogged down at the hospital, Memphis. How you doin'? By the way a few of the new residents are sporting TL's and TSX's. Also I just ordered some 7443 drop in 18 led bulbs for the brake lights and I will let you know how they work out.

Take care-

Rob

[cdnbikerdude]

I have the same noise. 2006 TSX Manual 6sp. I figured it was the vtec as well. Been there since day 1.

[nj2pa2nc]

I am happy to say that I do not have that noise on my 06 TSX 6spd w/ nav with almost 8,000 miles (bought new 11/06) milano red/ebony

[GeneralCho]

Nope.. my car also do not have that noise. I just VTEC 1st, 2nd, 3rd gear today.... it was great feeling. :D

[Cloud9]

this is good to know

[devore]

Just to add my own experience with the same problem:

My 06 MT is up to about 16K mi. I first started hearing this noise in the fall of last year after I had owned the car for a few months. At first it didn't happen all the time, but over the winter, it seems to happen almost continuously. There are still some times it does not happen, though.

I've had the dealer look at it on 4 separate ocassions, each time took it out with a technician and had them hear (and agree they heard) the noise. The first two times, they inspected everything and told me it all looked fine, and I didn't want them to drop the exhaust when the car was still pristine so I didn't ask them to try "fixing" it.

The third and fourth time I actually brought in PsyDoc's printout. They looked at the part, looked at my car, dropped the exhaust and agreed that what's going on is that under higher pressures, the pipe pushes down into the doughnut/gasket and rattles around because of how the parts come together there. (I realize this is a somewhat vague description, it was months ago and I have forgot some of the exact detail.) They agreed it didn't seem like it should make this noise but also said it didn't look like it was resulting in any problems. I got the impression it's sort of the purpose of that part to absorb this pushing.

On the fourth time they were all ready to fix the issue with that other part and were seeking approval from Acura to cover it under warranty. Acura came back and said they would not authorize it. Dealer was very apologetic, agreed they heard the noise, but couldn't fix it under warranty. They said again they don't think it's affecting the performance of the car (and I don't think so either) so I let it go and just stopped trying to fix it.

I'm not sure why some people seem not to hear it. I think it has a lot to do with the weather - temperature and humidity. That sounds a little crazy but I swear it's worse when things are wet, and when they're cold. On drier and warmer days, I don't hear it as much and sometimes not at all. I'm very curious to see if it goes away during the hot part of the summer.

Because the whole VTEC thing is one reason I bought the car and one of the things I really like about it, it's definitely a real gripe about a car I otherwise love almost completely. It's just that it sounds so *mean* above 6K rpm when it's not rattling, but so impotent when it does rattle. :)

You really can't hear it with the windows down, BTW.

[PsyDoc]

There are somethings that are just 'idiosyncracies' of our car. Too bad it happens in the 06's though as I thought the sound was sequela only to 04-05's. Yeah, other than that and the creaking clutch pedal, I love the car :donno:

[BigBen]

I just had my clutch pedal replaced so that clicking would go away in the pedal. It was driving me crazy!

[gmchu]

It happens on and off with my 07. I don't think it is really a big deal though. I will see if it continues to happen after I get my first oil change.

[cryo]

if that's the cause, how come you don't hear it anymore when you turn down the heating to "Lo" setting? I've tested it and it works: no sound when heating is on "Lo"...

My second Accord (2006) has this problem; my 2005 didn't have it.

[devore]

You're saying that if I set the temperature in my car to "Lo", I won't hear the rattling noise during VTEC engagement? I'll try that, but it doesn't make much sense. Does the A/C need to be off or on? Do you need to select any particular vent configuration?

[cryo]

Try it. I heard somewhere a theory (I think also on this forum), that it's because of some air in the coolant fluid. When the coolant passes through the radiator core at high rpm, the air bubbles "cavitate", producing that noise. When you turn the heating to "Lo", there is some valve that shuts, preventing the coolant from going through the radiator core, therefore the noise disappears.

Don't know if the explanation is true or not, but the "fix" works as a charm in my case.

P.S. Tried with A/C off, no special vent configuration... I'll try it also with A/C on...

[devore]

Interesting. I will defininitely give that a try tonight on the way home from work. Thanks for the suggestion!

[PsyDoc]

By the way, the creaking clutch pedal turned out to be a bad master clutch cylinder. 2nd time I am having this replaced....... Honda quality....go figure.

[devore]

cryo - that totally worked!

It's about 32* up here. With the temp set to "lo" I rev it up and it sounds perfect, no weird noises, just loud and mean, like it should. With the temp set to 72*, I rev it up and hear the weird noise I've heard all winter. I even heard the noise come on as I turned up the temperate from "lo" at high revs. You can also set it to "lo", then hit the "off" button and it's still noise-free. Maybe it only happens when the temperature you set in the car is higher than the ambient outside temperature (meaning the car needs to heat the air.)

I was pretty amazed and happy. I don't know if this would work for everyone but for me it definitely does.

If it is indeed caviatation, it looks like it might (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavitation#Cavitation_in_engines) be harmful (http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16104833). It's enough to make me avoid revving my TSX high if I'm running the heater. Whether or not it actually is, the noise sounds harmful...

[cryo]

PsyDoc, maybe you can show this to the dealer?

I wonder if there's a (simple) way to remove these bubbles, if this is indeed the cause. I heard some "techniques" (alternating different revving regimes on the highway), but they seem voodoo to me.

P.S. Just a small note, here the cavitation does not take place in the engine, it seems to happen in the heater core....

[PsyDoc]

Cryo, I'll be damned! You method totally worked.....I heard nothing when turned down to Lo. However, I turned it up and nothing as well. I had the air turned off. Either way, I will continue to try this. If it is repeatable I will go with this information to the dealer. Jesse, the service manager will definately look into it. They will be replacing the CMS this week. If it is cavitation in the heater core, there must be a way of bleeding this off. Lets ask Noel.....Thanks for the info.

[devore]

If it is cavitation caused by the water pump operating at high speed (under high RPMs) then simply bleeding off the bubbles won't do anything, because there aren't any bubbles to bleed off.

Cavitation is the formation and subsqeuent collapse of voids/bubbles in the liquid. The water flowing around the propeller spnning at high speeds creates low pressure. When the pressure is low enough, the water vaporizes and creates a void. It then subsequently collapses, producing a mini shock wave, and the noise you hear. There are no permanent bubbles created.

I think to prevent this problem you'd need to either redesign the water pump impeller so it doesn't produce cavitation, OR redesign the water pump so it doesn't spin fast enough to produce cavitation.

I'm due for a service visit so I'm going to ask the Acura folks about this again with the new info and see what they say.

[PsyDoc]

Good point on the cavitation. The bubbles aren't created until the pump is spinning and disappear once off VTEC.

Anyway, I tried this again four more times and without fail it worked. Air at 75, up to VTEC, buzzing sound heard, then air set to LO, up to VTEC, and no sound. I tried several variants on this and it is a reliable finding. Good going Devore. Now to see why some have this and some don't and to determine if this condition could be fixed or even damaging in any way to the water pump itself.

[devore]

I'm just glad cryo suggested it. I was skeptical but it definitely worked and it's nice to hear the engine sound so smooth again. I do wonder if it's a problem with all TSXes or not, to test I think you'd need to rev it up with the heater running, so temp set hotter than it is outside.

I didn't notice the problem the last summer when I bought it, maybe because it was hot outside and I wasn't using the heater. From what I read it sounds like cavitation could cause damage but I dunno if it would when it only happens infrequently.

[devore]

So I brought up this new information with my dealer and was sort of surprised by the response, which was basically nothing. I told them that when I turned my heater to LO the sound went away and that it seems likely the noise has to do with the heater core. The service manager didn't offer anything other than to say that Acura hasn't issued any TSBs about it so there's nothing to do. I asked if he thought it would help to convey to Acura this information and he essentially said again that Acura would contact them if there was something to fix.

I've been well treated by the dealer so far and they've spent some time with my issue so I just left it at that. I plan to contact Acura myself to let them know about the problem.

MODS - you may want to change the title of this thread, the "resolution" to the issue is no longer post #40. A "fix" for this issue is to avoid running the heater (usually by setting temp to "LO") but there is currently no true resolution to the problem.

[sk1001]

I think I may just just picked up the same problem, not 100% sure. Mine does not occur in the VTEC range, in fact only when you flat stick from 3000 onwards or when going up hills. Initially I thought it was glovebox, but then I took it in and they reckon something is up with the radiator. They will not fix it under warranty because they beleive it is due to an accident. Sounds more like a vibration than the whooshy sounds you guys described. Not happy either way.

[narci]

Mine doesn't make this noise anymore. It use too..but not anymore. Last thing I've done to the engine besides and oil change is a warranty work on a disconnected PCV tube or something.

[sk1001]

hmmm. I just double read this thread. Some were saying it has something to do with the headshield? I just took my car to my mech and descovered my heat sheild is missing (I bought the car used...).

I'm really quite puzzled!

[t-sxinit]

Hi guys,

FINALLY an answer to that crazy ball bearing, sucking, wooshing, scratching noise......Turns out it was not the heat shield at all but in fact the flex head attachment (not sure the exact name) below the exhaust manifold. I have attached a pic and circled the culprit.. Apparently the springs and donut that hold the flextube together are no good and they are rattling when engaging VTEC because at that RPM that portion of the tube is being forced down causing the rattling. They replaced number 12 (E-4, the graphite composite donut) and 13 and 14 (springs and bolts) as circled......No problems now what so ever. The heat shield was not distorted as originally believed (a ploy to buy time I think) but either way the sound is totally gone. Guess what...the parts manager told me this IS a recall on RSX's. He thinks it is a matter of time before the TSX's are recalled for this issue. By the way, you can use (according to the mechanic), parts from an RSX Type S to repair this issue. Please if you have this problem, have the dealer check this out and bring in this diagram to show them specifically. I love reving it up now...smooth and silky baby!

DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS PICTURE SAVED ON THEIR COMPUTER?

[Mi_Co]

I have road test a lotz of tsx and rsx. Both car are doing the same thing and it is normal. You have no worry about that concern