What Causes Engine Noise in Civic?
2 Answers
Here are the specific reasons for engine noise in Civic: 1. Engine Mount Deterioration: The abnormal noise caused by deteriorated engine mounts due to rough engine operation. This noise is caused by excessively early fuel injection timing and requires readjustment of the fuel injection advance angle. 2. Engine Misfire: The engine noise follows a certain pattern, accompanied by unstable engine speed and intermittent black smoke emissions. This uneven noise is caused by diesel leakage from the fuel injector. When this occurs, the fuel injector should be serviced. 3. Piston Slap: The exhaust pipe produces continuous backfire sounds during exhaust, along with black smoke emission and excessive exhaust pipe temperature. Starting becomes difficult, and the backfire sound reduces at low speeds. This abnormal noise is caused by excessively delayed fuel injection timing, and the exhaust pipe position should be adjusted promptly.
I've driven several Civics and encountered engine noise issues multiple times. The most common is piston knocking, especially as the car ages and the piston ring wear gap increases, producing a metallic knocking sound during ignition. A loose timing chain makes a rattling noise - if it's too loose, it must be addressed immediately to avoid serious cylinder damage. Secondly, worn bearings like camshaft or crankshaft bearings create whirring or humming sounds with noticeable vibrations during operation, requiring disassembly for precise diagnosis. Aging belts with insufficient tension squeak, particularly during cold starts. Using oil that's too thin or low on oil increases friction due to inadequate lubrication, amplifying noise at higher RPMs. Spark plugs with heavy carbon buildup or excessive gap affect ignition balance, causing sputtering sounds. None of these are minor issues. I recommend first checking the spark plugs and timing chain condition - regular maintenance is crucial for preventing noise in older Civics.
