1997 Honda Civic Grinding noise

FLEURXX

MEMBER
1997 HONDA CIVIC
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
109,000 MILES

I recently bought a used 1997 Honda Civic EX. It seems to run pretty good except for shaking (doesn't do it when I go above 30 miles though) however it makes rather odd noises sometimes like today I heard what sounded like a small mini-chainsaw (grinding almost) when I pushed down on the accelerator hard. I wasn't going too fast (40 miles) when I did this either and suddenly I would hear that noise. It seemed to be coming from the back of the car. Also the engine light is on (but I read thats normal for a Honda) and was on when I bought it but the dealership said it was nothing more than the oxygen sensor (don't remember the exact name).
My question is do you know what that noise might mean and is it normal for the engine light to come on when something might be wrong with the oxygen sensor? Does it damage your car to have a bad oxygen sensor?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi Fleurxx,

Whoever says that the CEL is normal is either telling you lies or knows nothing about cars.

When the CEL is showing, an error has been detected by the PCM and to find out what is causing it, you can get a free scan done at Autozone. Let me know the exact trouble code.

If the noise is from the rear, then there is a possibility it is coming from the exhaust. Check if it is too near the body and vibrations is due to the exhaust hitting against the body.

A bad O2 sensor can affect the fuel consumption and you would not pass smog test if any.