[cybercamp]

I took my ody to the dealer to check on the engine rattling noise I am hearing whenever I press on the accelerator. I hear it only when the vehicle is moving but not on idle. Their prognosis is that it is just the engine pinging which is normal. And they told me to try to use a medium grade fuel.

Eventhough that engine rattling is normal, its sounds is annoying while I'm driving.

I just wonder if anyone of you experiences this.

 

[Grand Total]

What fuel are you using? I used to own a Toyota that ran fine on 87 octane (any) in the summer but needed 89 octane in the winter with one exception, it was fine on Sunoco's 87 octane year round.

 

[cybercamp]

I am using an 87 octane. They suggested to use an 89 and see if the rattle would go away. They also discouraged me to use the "premium" one (91 or above?) saying that Ody's computer is designed to read on fast-burning fuel.

But, they said, if I the rattle won't go away after trying out the 89, then there's nothing I can do. Other than the engine sound is annoying, there's nothing to worry about.

I always use Esso. They say, try Petro Canada which doesn't have additives in their fuels.

 

[accordian]

You need another opinion. Pinging is never normal, and if not corrected can damage the piston tops. It's also possible the timing belt tensioner is malfunctioning, which could lead to significant engine damage as the valves will hit the pistons.

 

[cybercamp]

Thanks for all your replies.

Yeah, I am thinking of getting a 2nd opinion on this. But I may try to change fuel first to give them the benefit of the doubt and if it fails, I'll go look for a second opinion.

I also pointed out to them that it may be the timing belt auto-tensioner but they said that if it is the belt, we can hear the rattle even on 'idle' and besides, they said, Odys don't have the timing belt recall in Canada. It's weird 'cause the dealer doesn't even want to touch anything on the van.

My '03 Ody's relatively new - 3 months old.

 

[Grand Total]

...Odys don't have the timing belt recall in Canada.

I called Honda Canada who told me that my van is included in the recall and that I should have received a letter. My dealer says my van is NOT covered and will not look at it because of that. I think I can hear a noise that I don't like from outside the van and am now waiting for the letter to arrive.

 

[Guest]

You need another opinion. Pinging is never normal, and if not corrected can damage the piston tops. It's also possible the timing belt tensioner is malfunctioning, which could lead to significant engine damage as the valves will hit the pistons.

I think light pinging is "normal" with an ECU that tries hard to optimize the spark advance. However, "knocking", which is a heavy metallic rapping, is not and can cause damage.

Our Ody pings on 87 octane during the summer months, especially during high loads from a stop (such as starting from a stop on a steep uphill). We switch to 89 octane for the summer, and use 91 octane when driving fully loaded.

I've done some really basic testing and it appears that performance is better with 91 octane versus 87 octane, on our 2002 model year. I don't buy the deal about the ECU and the speed of the combustion flame front.

Wayne

 

[accordian]

If it pings, the knock sensor should retard the timing. You shouldn't hear it. I live in Houston, and it gets very hot. I have never heard pinging from my Odys. My opinion is that there is something amiss.

 

[Guest]

If it pings, the knock sensor should retard the timing. You shouldn't hear it. I live in Houston, and it gets very hot. I have never heard pinging from my Odys. My opinion is that there is something amiss.

I never heard our Ody pinging until I was standing outside when it happened. You can hear the pinging initiate very sharply, then decrease in intensity. I assume this is the knock sensor triggering a timing retardation via the ECU. It continues to ping very lightly without the engine speed changing (it holds steady as the car goes from a standstill to only 1-2 MPH).

Based on that and that I've read numerous times that light pinging means you are pushing the envelope of efficiency, that this light pinging is consistent with Honda's design for the Ody.

Wayne

 

[pvandegriff]

I took my ody to the dealer to check on the engine rattling noise I am hearing whenever I press on the accelerator. I hear it only when the vehicle is moving but not on idle. Their prognosis is that it is just the engine pinging which is normal. And they told me to try to use a medium grade fuel.

Eventhough that engine rattling is normal, its sounds is annoying while I'm driving.

I just wonder if anyone of you experiences this.

How many miles are on it?

A certain MILD amount of pinging is normal if you are not running premium gas. If you hear it frequently and it is loud enough to annoy you then it is likely you have a problem.

The dealer was incorrect in saying the Ody computer was designed for "fast" burning gas.
It was designed to allow you to use lower octane gas without destroying it. It does this just as Wayne described. The ECU (computer) advances the timing to peak efficiency. Depending on many variables, octane being only one of them, the engine will enter pre-ignition which we call pinging or knocking. The knock sensor is a highly sensitive pizeo electric crystal device that tells the ECU to retard the timing to eliminate knocking.

However, it is possible your KS is not sensing engine knock and therefore not telling the ECU to retard. It is also possible that you have a dirty injector or two which are causing limited knock in those cylinders.
Since your Ody is only 3 months old I would find a dealer that knows what they are doing. DON'T talk to a service advisor at the next dealer. Talk to the Lead Technician or Foreman.
If you want an opinion from someone who might actually know you have to get a tech under the hood.

I do know that Honda was able to squeeze about 30HP more into the Ody in part by designing a HIGHLY sensitive knock sensor.

The comment that Ody's don't run better or aren't designed to run on Premium gas is a load of cow manure. I don't care what country they are made for. They are high compression engines that are prone to knocking and therefore will run better on premium gas. Anybody who says different has no idea what they are talking about.

 

[cybercamp]

I only have 3k km. on my Ody.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly consider talking to another dealer.

Much appreciated.