[kvdoyle]

Have a 2002 with 113,000 miles on it. About 3 months ago it started making a ticking sound when making a slow steady climb up hill. Tech at Honda recommended starting with higher octane fuel. That didn't help. Had the 100,000 service done with valve adjust. Still ticking. More specifically - ticking occurs when RPM climbs above 2000 (usually around 2200) when the engine is loaded. Will not occur with revving the engine in idle. Tech has essentially checked all his valve work again. They can't find out what is wrong. Now think it might be an exhaust leak but as it doesn't make the sound when just idling they don't know how to find it. Any thoughts?

 

[OdyinNH]

Sounds like it's pinging/knocking. Is the check engine light on and if not does it work? Rodents like to eat the knock sensor wire but that would make the light come on. May want to have the EGR checked too, it's common for them to get plugged up. You can find both issues with a search.

 

[davedrivesody]

+1 with OdyinNH that the engine is pinging. Have the dealer check for a vacuum leak. Keep on it because persistent pinging can damage the engine.