2002 Honda CRV Engine Vibration

LIVEDATA

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CRV
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
119,000 MILES

Hello all. I have a 2002 Honda CRV LX 2.4L 2WD. I would like to narrow down a vibration issue. So if the car is in Park, engine running & idling at 750 RPM, there is a continuous mild rumbling sound accompanied by little steering wheel vibration. However, when I give it gas, the vibration increases, but it occurs in precise cycles. If I sit in the car, and I lock the engine speed at say 1800 RPM with foot, it will idle smooth for exactly 2 seconds, and then a wave of vibration passes through the cabin that lasts for 5 seconds. It's not sudden, it picks up gradually the first 2 seconds, loudest at 3, then gradually goes away the next 2 seconds. As I mentioned thecycle is very precise.

My guess is if these were mount issues, the vibration would be constant. I suspect harmonic balancer, which overall looks ok visually, despite some very little wobble which smoothens out with higher revs, but still won't rule it out. I have disengage the drive belt from all the other accessories to make sure it's not a loose belt or something, but the vibration is still there. Someone out there on the net suggested valve adjustments, but
for now I'd like to keep my focus on exterior parts. Thanks.

4 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Check belt and tensioner recommended replacement is 60k

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Friday, May 30th, 2014 AT 6:51 AM

LIVEDATA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks hmac, I have already disengaged the serpentine belt from pulley's so that just the crankshaft pulley is rotating, the vibration can still be felt.
It is rather weird, say if I keep the accelerator pedal locked at 2000 rpm, it produces a cycle type vibration. For 2 seconds it's a silk smooth "iiiiiinnng" like the one you'd expect from a Honda, and then next 2 seconds the cabin is filled with a deep roar and steering wheel vibration, then back to a silk smooth and back to the roar. It just goes on. This is best I could explain it in drawing

The straight dashes being the smooth phase.

I think I am left with no more than to get a live data reading from the a shop or the dealer, and see if any abnormal values are present. I was pretty
sure about it being the harmonic balancer, but each time I fire up the engine
and notice that hairline wobble become still as stone after giving it the slightest throttle, I am convinced that that isn't it either. Quite frustrating this is.