Cold Engine Noise - Honda Pilot

lonegigger · 12-07-2005, 08:33 PM

I'm new to the forum. I have a 2003 Pilot with about 31,000 on it. Lately I've noticed (living in Minnesota in the winter) when starting up cold, the engine seems a bit noisier then it did even a year ago in the winter. There seems to be just a slight bit of clatter in the engine until it warms up good. Almost a subdued diesel engine sound. I change oil twice as often as the manual recommends (3,750 miles.) I use Valvoline 5W20 and name brand oil filters. I go exactly by the book for service intervals and just had my 30,000 mile items done. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Problem is, if I take it the 60 miles to the dealer, it's warmed up and the noise is gone. Suggestions please. Thanks.

Sportymonk · 12-07-2005, 09:14 PM

You may have to take it and leave it overnight. Just had to do this with my son's car.

cwa107 · 12-07-2005, 09:35 PM

You may want to consider posting in the "Problems" forum, you've posted in the "Performance" forum.

I assume you've already checked and changed the oil and are using the correct viscosity. If so, you may need a valve adjustment. Take it to the dealer and leave it overnight.

Sunday Rider · 12-08-2005, 06:39 AM

This is just a shot in the dark, but have you tried synthetic oil? I find it gets through faster in a cold engine.
Keep the same 5W20 weight. It might be worth a try.

Kataku2k3 · 12-14-2005, 01:36 PM

Has the ambient air temp been a lot warmer before winter hit you? I don't know for sure that it's the valve lash, but it would definately be one of the first things I'd check. The only reason I asked what the temperature has been like around you is because now that we're in the winter, tolerances may loosen a bit (if you've got a decent change in temp). And when the engine warms they fall right back to within spec (ie. no more rocker slap noise). Again nothing definate, just something to take into consideration. I guess it could be the oil too, but if the sound was caused by it, it should go away a lot quicker (and really not require the engine to warm). It's not like it takes 5 minutes for oil to reach the head before it can lubricate the rockers/cams.

12-07-2005, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
lonegigger Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In the upper midwestern USA Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Cold Engine Noise I'm new to the forum. I have a 2003 Pilot with about 31,000 on it. Lately I've noticed (living in Minnesota in the winter) when starting up cold, the engine seems a bit noisier then it did even a year ago in the winter. There seems to be just a slight bit of clatter in the engine until it warms up good. Almost a subdued diesel engine sound. I change oil twice as often as the manual recommends (3,750 miles.) I use Valvoline 5W20 and name brand oil filters. I go exactly by the book for service intervals and just had my 30,000 mile items done. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Problem is, if I take it the 60 miles to the dealer, it's warmed up and the noise is gone. Suggestions please. Thanks.

12-07-2005, 09:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sportymonk Super Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rocky Mount NC Posts: 2,413 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You may have to take it and leave it overnight. Just had to do this with my son's car. __________________ Eagles may soar, but foxes dont get sucked into jet engines. 2005 Steel Blue Metallic EX-L with iPod P.I.E. X3 interface (keeps the cd changer!!), LED lights in doors and overhead, tow package, cargo shield, crossbars (self installed), WWongs stuff, cargo liner, extended warranty. All but the tow pkg at great saving through our sponsor hondacuraworld. 17 - 24 MPG with mileage removed for both the best and the worst atypical mileages. 183,000 miles since June 29, 2005

12-07-2005, 09:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
cwa107 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Middletown, PA Posts: 2,497 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You may want to consider posting in the "Problems" forum, you've posted in the "Performance" forum. I assume you've already checked and changed the oil and are using the correct viscosity. If so, you may need a valve adjustment. Take it to the dealer and leave it overnight. __________________ 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD, Dark Cherry Pearl w/ black leather - equipped with black side steps, WeatherTech Floorliners and USA SPEC iPod Integration 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium - Ruby Red Pearl 2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD (traded)

12-08-2005, 06:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sunday Rider Super Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Aurora, Ontario Posts: 2,074 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This is just a shot in the dark, but have you tried synthetic oil? I find it gets through faster in a cold engine. Keep the same 5W20 weight. It might be worth a try. __________________ Sunday Rider '03 EX-L, Nighthawk Black Pearl, OEM Black Gone but not forgotten March 2011 Honda ST1100 '97 Honda CB900C '82 sold Honda CM400E '80

12-14-2005, 01:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kataku2k3 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gresham/Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 26 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Has the ambient air temp been a lot warmer before winter hit you? I don't know for sure that it's the valve lash, but it would definately be one of the first things I'd check. The only reason I asked what the temperature has been like around you is because now that we're in the winter, tolerances may loosen a bit (if you've got a decent change in temp). And when the engine warms they fall right back to within spec (ie. no more rocker slap noise). Again nothing definate, just something to take into consideration. I guess it could be the oil too, but if the sound was caused by it, it should go away a lot quicker (and really not require the engine to warm). It's not like it takes 5 minutes for oil to reach the head before it can lubricate the rockers/cams. __________________ NA / FI Engine Building \| B, K, & H Series Swapping \| SFWD & HR Fabrication \| FAST, MoTeC, & Hondata/K-Pro Tuning Gresham, Oregon \| Contact: Adam Uyemura - 503.780.2988 \| Scott Muongvang - 971.227.9300 Me @ MySpace.com... God damn, you must be bored!

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