Engine chirping noise

Tiny
VANESSA GERONILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 HONDA CITY
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 44,000 MILES
Hi. Here's my problem:

Last October 2018, I started hearing the noise from my engine. It sounds like a chirp of a bird. In the morning, I cannot hear the noise, then after driving for a while, the chirps starts and it's not too loud. And after using the car the entire day, the noise gets louder. So Last November 2018, I brought the car to the Honda dealer here in Thailand (since I live here). They opened the engine and could not detect where the noise came from. They were telling me that nothings wrong with the cylinder. Nothing is wrong with the car. Then, I went to a different car repair shop and they changed the belt. But still, the chirping noise did not go away. Then I went to Denso, to check if somethings wrong with the air compressor. They told me that nothing is wrong with the compressor. Then I went to a different shop again, telling me that its the idler pulley bearing. So, they changed it to a new one. But still, the chirping noise is still there.

Can you please help me what seems to be the reason of the chirping noise? Thanks a lot.
Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 5:23 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

Is there a chance you can capture the sound your car is making with your phone and upload it here? That would help us diagnose the sound. Here is a sound making tutorial for you to look at:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-squeaking-noise

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
ZOEY AKINA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi Danny,

Thank you so much for your response. I will definitely send you a video. ASAP :)
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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Sounds like the serpentine belt or tension-er might be making the sound. Get the video uploaded to us and we'll go from there. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 2:14 AM
Tiny
VANESSA GERONILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hello,

The serpentine belt was changed last month. But the noise remained the same. I have enclosed a video. I hope you'll notice the chirping sound. Thank you so much! :)
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
VANESSA GERONILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
When I took the video, I turned on and off the A/C but the noise is still the same. And at around, 0:25, I can hear a low blowing noise from the left part of the engine. (I attached a photo). And every startup of the car, that encircled part of the photo (where the blowing noise comes from) it makes a loud blowing noise. Is that normal? Because I haven't heard it before. Thank you
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Friday, January 18th, 2019 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

Thanks for the video it helps. it sounds like the camshaft actuator is making noise. can I ask if the engine oil is clean good level and the correct weight oil? To be sure we can remove the serpentine belt to see if the noise goes away. This guide will help walk you through with a diagram below to show you on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, January 21st, 2019 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
VANESSA GERONILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Thank you for your reply. What is a camshaft actuator? I usually change oil every 7000-8000 kms.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 1:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
The camshaft actuator move the camshaft timing side the engine. this guide will help show you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-camshaft-variable-valve-timing-works

I would change the oil to the manufacturer's recommendation (0w-20) which is below I have also included a guide to help walk you through the steps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-engine-oil-and-filter

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. If you are not doing the job yourself try to watch to make sure they change the oil and filter.
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
VANESSA GERONILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi there Ken,

I printed off the enclosed files you sent me. I gave it to the mechanic. They adjusted the "valve setting" in the camshaft, they changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. They changed the serpentine belt (the previous one was just two months old). And so far, no more noise upon start up. And while using the car the whole day, less chirping noise. The mechanic told me that the "chirping noise" is quite normal for some Honda cars.

I will message you again after a week and will let you know if I can still hear that loud chirping noise.

Thank you so much for your help! :)
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Tuesday, February 5th, 2019 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 AT 12:36 PM

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