[Saitek666]

Hello all! I have been a lurker for a very long time, I don't even remembering ever posting here, but whenever I would have any sort of troubles on my Acura TSX 2006 I would research here and always able to fix it after someone finding the fix for the issue. The reason why I post here today is for I have an issue with mine.

In January this year while driving I came aware of a strange sound coming from my car, I thought was something with either the transmission or the front suspension. Two days ago I changed the lower controller arms, both sides, and the drivers axle. The Passenger's axle I changed back a year ago when the car had 70000 miles or so, the car right now is on 93000.

The problem that I have is the following. When I accelerate from a dead start I can hear a noise coming from the engine bay, but I don't know what it is. It sounds like a clunking noise, but the car shifts fine, doesn't jerk, or anything when shifting or once it is into gear. Also this sound comes when the gear is already engaged. say its on first gear I accelerate and 'clunk' still goes switches to second and once I stop it sounds again. The weird thing and this is when it gets interesting after third gear the car already stops making that noise or at least I can't hear it anymore.

Again, the clunking noise comes when I'm engaged in first accerelating doesn't matter if low rev, mid revs, or high revs, it will do it even if it still is in first gear. I was thinking in taking to the Acura dealer, but we all know how that will go. One of my friends told me that
a) possible passenger axle going off
b) transmission mount

He checked the engine mount and it looks fine, also vibration is at minimum and the engine doesn't rock to either side.

Hope all this information is enough and you guys can help me out here.

 

[curls]

Sounds like a rear engine mount could possibly be the culprit. Maybe the front mount (hydraulic) is helping you NOT see the rocking when you look under the hood?

Put the e-brake on VERY hard. Have a friend put the car in 1st (assuming manual transmission?). You watch (FROM THE SIDE) as your friend lets off the clutch while giving it just a wee bit of gas. They can keep bumping the clutch a few times with little-to-no gas.
Now, try the same in reverse just to be sure.
How much is the engine moving? Lots? Just a bit? Do you hear the same clunk?

 

[willy18]

I had a sound from my front end and I just discovered it's the upper control arm ball joints.

 

[Saitek666]

Thanks a lot for the two answers. My car is an automatic transmission, sadly because of my busy life I have not been able to test what Curls said, but I will try to do that in the incoming week. What is the opininon of several of the members here to take it to the stealership and diagnosed it for me? is it worth it? or should I just take it somewhere else.

 

[spudsmac]

Depends on how much you're willing to spend vs how much time you're willing to spend. I HATE going to the stealership, so short of something major, I won't take my car anywhere.

 

[Saitek666]

Depends on how much you're willing to spend vs how much time you're willing to spend. I HATE going to the stealership, so short of something major, I won't take my car anywhere.

Got you!

I took it today, relatively painlessly. They quoted me 1200 lolololol, my rear and front mounts are shut. They told me it won't do any damage to the car because of the hydraulic system that it has, but the noise its just going to get worst and worst. Anyone know a good website where to buy the mounts? Front and rear mount of the engine are gone.

 

[Aragrev7]

First gear gives you the most torque and shifting your weight back, especially at high rpms. It'll be less abrupt as your gears climb (you might hear a clunk if you cruise for a bit, let the car shift high, then stomp it so it has to downshift).
You said you did a lot of LCA work, axle etc. Check the condition of the sway bar end links. They're notorious for being non-reusable parts. Silly hex key & nut design and seizing improperly threaded. Check for play.

 

[Saitek666]

First gear gives you the most torque and shifting your weight back, especially at high rpms. It'll be less abrupt as your gears climb (you might hear a clunk if you cruise for a bit, let the car shift high, then stomp it so it has to downshift).
You said you did a lot of LCA work, axle etc. Check the condition of the sway bar end links. They're notorious for being non-reusable parts. Silly hex key & nut design and seizing improperly threaded. Check for play.

Sorry I never got back at you! For some reason sometimes I get emails from the forum and sometimes I don't and with work and school you tend to forget about everything. Anyways...

So I took it already twice to different mechanics and the Acura dealer and they all agree that the problem is the mount, front and rear. I went to Acura del ray here in Florida and well the three mounts are a staggering 500 dollars, then I went to a honda dealer website and it is only 300 for everything including shipping so my question is the following, are those mounts interchangeable?

Acura Parts @ AcuraOEMparts.com - Genuine Acura OEM Parts from Delray Acura

Honda Automotive Parts

I don't know much, but the schematics are exactly the same and I just want to be sure of what I'm ordering. I did look into XR8 mounts and so on, but I rather like how comfortable the car is and well I am sick of the clunking noise and so on.

Thanks a lot guy.

 

[curls]

I'm not 100% sure on the cross-reference between the Honda and Acura parts. What I'd recommend is going to Rockauto.com and putting in your make/model/year and seeing what the engine mount cross-references with. That should tell you if the mount from Honda will be compatible with the Acura one. IE: If the TSX mount also fits the Accord, note the year for the Accord and order that Accord mount from Honda, not from Rockauto.

The labour to get the mounts changed isn't terribly difficult. If you've got a few hours of time you can do the front one yourself with a basic set of sockets and a few extension bars. The rear is a bit more of a pain as there's little room to work, or see, and one horizontal bolt will be a total pain, but it's do-able.

 

[Saitek666]

I'm not 100% sure on the cross-reference between the Honda and Acura parts. What I'd recommend is going to Rockauto.com and putting in your make/model/year and seeing what the engine mount cross-references with. That should tell you if the mount from Honda will be compatible with the Acura one. IE: If the TSX mount also fits the Accord, note the year for the Accord and order that Accord mount from Honda, not from Rockauto.

The labour to get the mounts changed isn't terribly difficult. If you've got a few hours of time you can do the front one yourself with a basic set of sockets and a few extension bars. The rear is a bit more of a pain as there's little room to work, or see, and one horizontal bolt will be a total pain, but it's do-able.

I did what you say and it worked perfectly. I changed both mounts with Honda genuine ones they fit like a glove. Both mounts were 183 dollars and the labour was 130 dollars. A total of $313.

 

[chasebrooks14]

i had this EXACT problem. i am 95% sure its your engine mounts. my tsx is in the shop right now having them replaced so ill let you know if this fixes it

 

[curls]

I did what you say and it worked perfectly. I changed both mounts with Honda genuine ones they fit like a glove. Both mounts were 183 dollars and the labour was 130 dollars. A total of $313.

Good stuff - glad the problem is solved!

 

[chasebrooks14]

well i was wrong about mine. replaced all motor mounts and still made the noise. the mechanic and i took a look today and found my front right LCA bushing/ball joint thing was shot. hopefully this is the fix

 

[Landers]

I found this thread and wanted to see if any of you think this is the same problem.

06 ACURA TSX (Automatic) 168,000 Miles

Had corrosion building up on my battery so I cleaned it per youtube videos, then got tested at Advanced Autoparts. Also had them test the Alternator which seemed off and suggested getting replaced. I saw another youtube video with an 07 TSX at 170,000 miles on it and it was time for Alternator as well. Well, 4 days later, I noticed a humming sound from Alternator. Was coming home one night and my car just died in the middle of a busy road, lucikly someone jumped me and I got the car into a overnight diner parking lot. I put in a new battery the next morning and drove it to Mienike to get the Alternator replaced. {Here is issue} I suddenly heard a clunking or Springing sound when my RPM's dropped. Happened 2-3 times down 3 miles to the shop. Gears shifted fine, no sudden shifts, but once I dropped my RPMS in 2nd or 3rd gear it would make a Springing sound or almost like bed springs going from high to low.

I got it to the shop and tried to explain it. Got a call from shop later, they said it wasnt the alternator that was the root of the car dying, but the Timing belt Tensioner was loose and needed to be replaced, also time for a new alternator so $450 later, I pick up the car, humming sound is gone, alternator looks great, but the Springing sound started right when I drove off the street again. Im going to bring to shop again tomorrow and see if we can take a spin. Hoping its nothing major. Any thoughts?

 

[Tex Nomex]

I found this thread and wanted to see if any of you think this is the same problem.

06 ACURA TSX (Automatic) 168,000 Miles

Had corrosion building up on my battery so I cleaned it per youtube videos, then got tested at Advanced Autoparts. Also had them test the Alternator which seemed off and suggested getting replaced. I saw another youtube video with an 07 TSX at 170,000 miles on it and it was time for Alternator as well. Well, 4 days later, I noticed a humming sound from Alternator. Was coming home one night and my car just died in the middle of a busy road, lucikly someone jumped me and I got the car into a overnight diner parking lot. I put in a new battery the next morning and drove it to Mienike to get the Alternator replaced. {Here is issue} I suddenly heard a clunking or Springing sound when my RPM's dropped. Happened 2-3 times down 3 miles to the shop. Gears shifted fine, no sudden shifts, but once I dropped my RPMS in 2nd or 3rd gear it would make a Springing sound or almost like bed springs going from high to low.

I got it to the shop and tried to explain it. Got a call from shop later, they said it wasnt the alternator that was the root of the car dying, but the Timing belt Tensioner was loose and needed to be replaced, also time for a new alternator so $450 later, I pick up the car, humming sound is gone, alternator looks great, but the Springing sound started right when I drove off the street again. Im going to bring to shop again tomorrow and see if we can take a spin. Hoping its nothing major. Any thoughts?

So how did it turn out?
Can't imagine what a springing sound could be.
Did the shop replace your accessory belt tensioner or your timing chain tensioner? You don't have a timing belt.
Not sure if it could have anything to do with your springing sound, but if you've never had your timing chain replaced, you need to check it for stretch and possible tooth jump.