Ticking noise Honda engines — Service Bulletin Fix

Fix Ticking noise Honda engines

Honda has issued a service bulletin to address ticking, knocking on Honda engines. The bulletin covers 2008-11 Accord sedans and coupes, 2008-12 Odyssey minivans, 2009-12 Pilot SUVs and 2010-11 Accord Crosstour crossover models (all with V6 engines).

The engines may have a knocking or ticking sound at idle. The noise is more noticeable when the engine is warm or hot. The cause is excess clearance between the rocker bridge and the rocker shaft. The fix is fairly easy. All you need is a good torque wrench and sockets.

Start the engine and let it warm up until you hear the knocking or ticking. Use an automotive stethoscope on the valve cover to confirm the noise is indeed coming from the valve covers. If the noise isn’t coming from under the valve covers, the bulletin doesn’t apply.

Remove the valve covers. Start with the front head. Loosen all the bolts on the bridge. Then tighten the bolts to 21ft.-lbs. following the tightening sequence shown in the illustrations. During tightening, it may feel like the bolt is going to strip. That’s normal according to Honda. Continue tightening until you’ve reached the specific torque. You’re not done.

Loosen all the bridge bolts a second time and retighten to 18 ft.-lbs.

Use the same procedure on the rear head.

Adjust the valve clearances and reinstall the valve covers. Start the engine. The noise should be gone.

©, 2014 Rick Muscoplat