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Possible Alternator noise? - Link to Vid

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richard1983

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Honda Accord
Hello,

Long time viewer, first time poster :)

I've just put this video up on youtube to get you guys's (yes that is a word) opinion on this noise coming from under the bonnet. My guess is, its the alternator making an intermittent rattling noise? at around 20 seconds is when its at its most noticeable. I've seen other videos on youtube of the sameish noise, but alot louder and more of a constant noise.

http://youtu.be/rUtLcofveiY

I P'md GAZB and Salim yesterday who were both very helpful (sorry, just replying to your messages now guys, couldn't get back to my pc yesterday) and it seems that if it is the alternator I can just get either the pulley or bearings replaced, hopefully not too much money either ;)

However, just wanted to check with you all first that I'm not barking up the wrong tree, and its not infact the timing chain? Air compressor going on/off makes no difference. Cars an 04 2.2 CDTI with 130k OTC

Thanks in advance :D
 
its pretty hard to say really from that video. when my alternator started making a rattling sound it was the bearing in the pulley. you can buy just the pulley for about £80 from Honda but i decided to get a complete new alternator. Honda wanted about £350-400 for a denso one but i found euro car parts selling the same unit for about £140 ish, i think it was on offer but worth a look... the alternators are quite prone to fail as when first produced the diesel cars had a longer belt with an extra pulley involved. this put too much load/strain on the alternator causing the pulley bearings to wear out. they revised the belt with a shorter one and removed the pulley that wasnt needed any more. im unsure if you knew this or not so its worth checking to see if yours has had the pulley removed and shorter belt fitted. if not its a good idea to look into getting it done to prevent further damage to the alternator. mine had been done before i bought the car but the alternator still obviously had plenty of wear on it causing mine to fail.
just to add i wouldnt go down the reconditioned route unless you know a trusted place who will do it for you. i went through 2 recons from the same guy on ebay and in the end had to fight to get my money back. the cost wasnt much less than the new one too so a no brainer really....
 
Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, after listening to the video a few times myself it is hard to make out. I'm 90% sure it is the alternator, but just wanted to make sure. I got the part number for the shorter belt from a fellow forum member and have been quoted £50 for the part and £25 for fitting which seems reasonable. I hadn't thought about the pitfalls of buying a reconditioned one. I'll look at the new ones on euro car parts, or maybe get my bearings replaced from this company? http://www.mcalternators.co.uk/ It might nee the pulley replacing too though as there is a squeaking noise when the belt goes around.
 
this is the one i have but it seems they are out of stock currently... it was cheaper than this as well!!!

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Honda_Accord_2.2_2004/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/alternator/?401600540&1&3ff96bf7c1828c88ad30c7b44bb27de3c0cd2008&000012

i had nothing but trouble with my recon unit and after paying people to keep fitting and removing them it became quite costly. i will never buy a recon unit again especially from alternatorman on ebay.

http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/topic/10675-clicking-when-engine-is-cold/

http://typeaccord.co.uk/forum/topic/14633-alternator-trouble-again/
 
Remove the belt and run the engine for a short while. Then you'll know whether the noise is something driven by the belt or (gulp!) the timing chains.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm pretty sure it is the alternator, but have it booked in at TDI North Warrington for them to check. They also quoted £50 plus 0.5 hours labour to change aux belt to the shorter revised one, which seems like a good deal. I'll post on Thursday with the outcome.
 
Well..............

Took it down to TDI north, there a bunch of friendly people there.

They looked at my car for about an hour and came to the conclusion it was the cam chain - DOH! They quoted £800 for a new one, but the possibility of 4 new injectors at £350 a piece from Honda - ouch. I have now part exchanged my Accord for a 2011 Honda Jazz for my wife as were due a baby soon and she needed a new car. I'm going to be driving her old 2003 Honda Jazz for a bit, until I can save up some cash to buy another car, and guess what..... I'll be looking for another gen 7 Accord.

Can I ask though, the facelift version where they apparently fixed a load of issues is from 06 onwards? Is one of the ways to tell its a facelift is if it has an on board computer? eg mpg etc. Visually from the outside, I can't see any real difference.

Thanks.
 
I believe that the timing chains and tensioners were modified late in the pre-facelift model production, along with first uprating of the clutch (315 model).

I'm unsure of how you might easily and clearly identify petrol models, but the facelifted 7th gen diesel got a 6-speed gearbox.
 
Ah, Brilliant! Thanks Jon.

Yes, I forgot, the ones with the computers do have 6 gears too (yes, I'll be after another diesel). So that's what I'm after then. Cheers!
 
Facelift get's the 6 speed box as stated, also the chrome on the front edge of the bonnet is now part of the grill instead of being attached to the bonnet. That is probably the easiest external indicator.
Inside you get some nice extra's, folding mirrors, auto lights, trip computer, better sat nav etc

I must say it didn't sound like the timing chain, and that's from someone who had a really rattly one!
 
Dave G said:
Facelift get's the 6 speed box as stated, also the chrome on the front edge of the bonnet is now part of the grill instead of being attached to the bonnet. That is probably the easiest external indicator.
Inside you get some nice extra's, folding mirrors, auto lights, trip computer, better sat nav etc

I must say it didn't sound like the timing chain, and that's from someone who had a really rattly one!
Click to expand...

Don't tell me that..... Really gutted I've had to get rid of my Accord.

I got £1600 trade in for my Accord which seemed ok as I bout it for £4k 3 years ago and haven't spent a penny on it since then. It did however have the fume smell in the cabin when first started, and the VSA light came on for a minute or so last week, so a ll of that added up kind of made me feel it was time for it to go.

The 2011 Jazz is a nice enough car, but I do mainly motorway driving and its no where near comfortable enough. Still need must with my first child due in June. I'm hoping to buy another Accord this time next year, auto lights, folding mirrors, trip computer, and as long as I can get heated black leather again, I'll be a happy camper.
 
Hi
just reading your thread and it was a little hard to hear but I had a similar sound in my accord engine and it was the injector seals about £3 each from honda. This also gave a fume smell in the cabin of the car. Dead easy job even if stuck in, warm engine up a bit and they should come straight out. I know it's too late for you now but a bit of info for anyone else reading. Also I got a denso alternator from Andrew page for around £200inc. I would avoid early accords like mine.
 
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