New 2011 Pilot, Pinging sound when on throttle

[Tom Oelschlager]

2 Week old Pilot Touring experiencing a "ping" like sound or maybe described as jingling sound while accelerating, and sometimes with just light throttle pressure between 40 & 50 MPH. Obviously my ears are a little sensitive, but I thought I'd read a similar complaint on this site prior to buying the car. They had describe the sound as similar to a light weight chain being dragged under the car? Disappears immediately when you lift off the gas, anyone have any ideas on this one?

[theirishscion]

Nobody seems 100% sure what it is, but lots of our pilots exhibit the behavior at times, mine included. Though now I think about it, it feels like mine may have grown out of it finally. Can't remember the last time I heard it. At any rate, it doesn't seem to do any harm. I've always assumed it was a harmonic in the exhaust, or very light pinking.

You might try running some higher octane petrol for a tank or two, see if that cures it.

[Tom Oelschlager]

Thanks for the reply, certainly enjoy some the info and comments that you contribute this site, keep up the good work!

[whizmo]

I doubt it is engine pinging as the knock sensors would catch it. My guess would be something resonating like an exhaust heat shield. The fix on stuff like this is to do a good inspection and rev the engine at a steady speed and check for the noise under the hood or underbody. Loosening, re-positioning, and re-tightening the exhaust sometimes fixes things. You could chase it, but if it doesn't bother you, I'd probably just see if it goes away in time. Highly unlikely it is anything of consequence.

- Mark

[ant-ny]

try doing a search on "engine problems", "transmission problems", or there is a good thread titled "2011 pilot clinking or ringing engine noise". many others have had these problems, and I do not believe it has actually been diagnosed/solved. I had the "dragging chain" noise very bad, accompanied by a vibration in the vehicle that kicked on when ECO was activated. Ultimately, my dealer would not play ball and recognize the issue, basically blowing me off. I finally had enough and traded the pilot in for a 4runner. Keep a close eye on it, in my humble non-expert opinion, that kind of stuff should not be happening on a brand new $36k vehicle (especially since I test drove several new ones at the dealer, and none of them had these problems). Good luck.

[theirishscion]

Mine was a combination of speed and load dependent. Revving in neutral would never, ever reproduce it. It only occurred when accelerating almost imperceptibly gently between 35 and 45MPH, level ground, 3-cylinder mode active (I'm assuming based on the light load and ECO light being on, though I suppose it could have been in 4)

Let off the throttle slightly and the noise disappeared, add throttle and the noise got louder (consistent with pinking) and then disappeared. Only happened when the engine was good and hot. Having lived with little french cars with points ignition and carbs for most of my youth, I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of nasty little engine noises (on Every Single Frickin' Hill), and this certainly sounded the part. At the time, I wondered if the knock sensor was slightly insensitive, or perhaps had a certain threshold of occasionally acceptable knock or something. It also sounded like it might have been a oddity in the exhaust, though it didn't have that tinny resonant quality I associate with heat shields.

It was never bad enough to goad me into running a tank of high-test to see if that would fix it, and like I say, I can't remember the last time I heard it so it's a bit late now. I always suspected it was an artifact of the engine management computer slowly compensating for a tank of iffy petrol.

I also doubt it's anything of consequence. I'm fairly sure the ECU monitors knock sensor operation and will throw a code if it's not working right, so you shouldn't need to worry about any engine damage (and heck, my Renaults would pink like mo-fos for 50,000 miles from when I bought 'em till the bodies rusted off the frames at 130,000 miles, never seemed to do any meaningful damage.

[Tom Oelschlager]

Yes, my Dad happen to be a fan of those Renalt's back in the 70s, and I remember that sound as well...pretty fun cars to drive if I recall, good bit of torque steer though. They handled well with those Mich XZX radials. I also had a room mate at one time that owned a Le Car, remember that one?

[theirishscion]

My folks had a succession of Renault 12s and 18s before they discovered their first Honda. For my part, I owned a succession of Renault 5s (in my swinging bachelor days )

Dreadful little cars they were as well. Few redeeming features. Good suspension for Irish roads, and simple enough that you could carry a full teardown toolbox the the trunk with you. Of course, this toolbox was quite frequently necessary.

[Honda Pilot Fan]

3 Months old Pilot touring RES, I Have the same pinging noise between 40 & 50 MPH with just light throttle pressure, if i let go or add little throttle pressure it dissapears. I went to my Honda dealer, they connected it to the computer, nothing wrong there, we tried it on the road and it did it but slightly this time... So the mechanic told me to try Premium gas for a while and on his side, he will contact Honda Canada to explain the problem and see if they have something special !!! That was last thursday so i'm waiting for an answer... I will get back to you guys fficeffice" />>>

[Tmuchacho]

My 2011 Pilot is going in Monday for that, the constant hunting of the VCM which seems to also result in a subtle vibration (a very mild version of what you experience when drifting over the white line into that stamped pattern), occasional shuddering and clunking. Who knows, maybe it's the Tranny. I wish I wasn't so OCD about this, but I just don't think it's acceptable in a 40K vehicle. I'm not optimistic about the dealer being very helpful on this one, but I'll keep you guys posted on this.

[Tmuchacho]

Had the 2011 Pilot driven by the dealership today and they agreed while in 3 cylinder mode, the vibration and shudder is noticeable. I asked if they could disable the VCM and they will check that out with their Honda Rep. They have no software update for my vehicle at this time, but the service manager said the more of these problems they report as a warranty item, the quicker and more likely Honda will address it with a further update. Wait and see at this point I guess.