Are you getting any codes or is it just the rattle? If it’s just the rattle you don’t need to replace anything. Honda has said that the VTC actuator making noise causes no damage to the engine. I have 112k miles on my 2013 (original owner) and have the noise every morning during the winter but have no problems with the vehicle. Just trying to save you some $.

 

Im glad to hear this. I got my CRV about a year ago at 29k miles and makes that rattling noise on cold start up only.
If they didn’t redesign the VTC Actuator then I feel like it is inevitable to hear the noise again.

 

Are you getting any cel codes?

Have you inspected the VTC return filter, VTC solenoid and vtec solenoid filters?

If they are dirty clean them up, engine will need a flush but with a slow acting cleaner like Sea Foam or Marvel Mystery Oil.
You will need to make sure they don't clogg up again.

Remove valve cover and inspect for signs of sludge, varnish or burnt oil residue(really dark residues over the valve train).

 

My 2016 started rattling on startup occasionally at 45,000 miles and got progressively worse until it was doing it on almost every cold start. I replaced the actuator at around 60,000 miles and the noise went away---for a while. It started again around 65,000 and even though I was told it wouldn't hurt anything, I couldn't stand it and I traded it for a different brand that doesn't have that issue. I now have a beater 2000 CRV with 255,000 miles on it I got from my daughter who got it from my son-in-law who had it 10 years. It doesn't have have the issues that some newer ones have (AC, Actuator, etc) and even though it is slow, loud and rough riding, it is very reliable. How many 250,000+mile vehicles are reliable and don't take any oil between changes?

 

Our CR-V rattles on cold start when it's been sitting in the garage and it's cold out, for So Cal. It has almost 44k miles on it. I change the oil [Mobil 1] on a regular basis. I'm not going to worry about it. The VTC is working as designed.

 

Not my second repair / replace but an ongoing saga w/ Honda...
First reported to local dealer in 2018 but they said they couldnt replicate when it was left o'nite for service.
I didn't use it much 2020 & 2021 due to little travel due to Covid
Started making more noise more frequently in Nov - made recordings and took them to local dealer.
I was told now out of extended 7 Yr drive train warranty (although only 43,000 mi) and I should contact Honda Cust Svc if I didn't want to pay their est $800 - $1,000 US$ for R&R.
I filed a case early Dec - lots of back & forth sending service records. I was requested to take it to another slightly more distant Honda dealer for confirmation.
Just heard that they & Honda agreed and would pay 1/2 of the $440 cost to repair.
I have also heard of others needing timing chain after getting onto the VTC replacement but no details other than anecdotal posts.
I thought I read than initially Honda was simply replacing with same VTC but also thought / recall reading about a redesign that was supposed to eliminate the problem??

Interested to know more if others have specifics
Don

I didn't mention but being frustrated when dealers couldn't reproduce the sound (or that was their story - could tell) I started making video / audio recordings of start-ups with very clear clatter. I think that was part of the reason for finally settling and offering to at least pay half.
Tip: if you make recordings best to do it under the hood rather than in driver seat. It takes a helper to start it up but the sound is much more pronounced with hood open and outside.

After more reading I have an additional question for those that have had the repair done.

I understand many have had the noise return after having the VTC replaced.
I now see that there were 2 different part #s used for replacement.
Initially the defective VTC was replaced with an identical VTC P/N 14310-R44-A01 per the early TSB

The later TSB calls for a different P/N 14310-R5A-305
Has anyone that had the later / redesigned P/N installed had a subsequent failure or noise return?

Not my second repair / replace but an ongoing saga w/ Honda...
First reported to local dealer in 2018 but they said they couldnt replicate when it was left o'nite for service.
I didn't use it much 2020 & 2021 due to little travel due to Covid
Started making more noise more frequently in Nov - made recordings and took them to local dealer.
I was told now out of extended 7 Yr drive train warranty (although only 43,000 mi) and I should contact Honda Cust Svc if I didn't want to pay their est $800 - $1,000 US$ for R&R.
I filed a case early Dec - lots of back & forth sending service records. I was requested to take it to another slightly more distant Honda dealer for confirmation.
Just heard that they & Honda agreed and would pay 1/2 of the $440 cost to repair.
I have also heard of others needing timing chain after getting onto the VTC replacement but no details other than anecdotal posts.
I thought I read than initially Honda was simply replacing with same VTC but also thought / recall reading about a redesign that was supposed to eliminate the problem??

Interested to know more if others have specifics
Don

Update...
Just picked up the CRV and finally pleased with the outcome.
The dealer I ended up going to at Honda Cust Svc request was not my local dealer and nobody will comment why. Bottom line they (Svc Mgr) did a great job of communicating with me and keeping me informed throughout the process.
He is also the first Honda employee that admitted they have replaced their share of VTCs and he just sort of smiled when telling me they keep the parts in stock which by itself says something. Up to this time the story I kept hearing it this isn't a common problem or have never had this before (BS!).
My local dealer that I started with, quoted my $800 - $1,000 for VTC replacement and this dealer indicated the std $ for VTC is $480? He also indicated they damaged the crank pulley removing it but they covered the $ w NC to me. Don't underdtand why they removed it as it's not mentioned in the TSB that I recall.
I still think my video/ audio recordings were key to getting this solved as they couldn't or didn't ever refute them just said they could duplicate them to that extent.
I hope others make out satisfactorily with theirs and this helped some others.

 

Is the VTC rattle an annoyance or something that does damage or could result in stranding or premature engine failure? I’ve heard both. If it’s only an annoyance I guess owners could just live with it.

 

Hi. I have been studying the rattle noise for a few months now. The rattle itself will not cause any harm to your engine. Replacing the VTC cam can be good for a year, two years, or less before the rattle comes back. Honda should sheel a very simple a cheap fix for it, but they don,t! Al we would need a a better inner and titanium built spring! depending upon many situations, that inner spring get lazy and weaker with time and on cold startups it likes to stick and not lock for a few seconds until it pushes the lock pin into place. That's all! And many are paying thousands replacing the complete gear, (tats 95% of the time fine). I would call it a scam by many garages and by Honda!

 

Agreed! I replaced the spring and the noise greatly reduced.

 

Often just stretching out that weak spring will do it. I have contacted Honda and they know about it. So if they don't respond to this this simple fix, class action lawsuit!

 

After more reading I have an additional question for those that have had the repair done.

I understand many have had the noise return after having the VTC replaced.
I now see that there were 2 different part #s used for replacement.
Initially the defective VTC was replaced with an identical VTC P/N 14310-R44-A01 per the early TSB

The later TSB calls for a different P/N 14310-R5A-305
Has anyone that had the later / redesigned P/N installed had a subsequent failure or noise return?

I had the VTC replaced with the updated part back in May 2016. It worked for several years and has now started failing again. At first it was very intermittent, mostly occurring in the winter on very cold start-ups. It is now happening all the time, even after sitting for as little as 2 hours. I am just now contacting Honda CS to see if I can get some traction from them but I am bracing for a struggle.

 

There is no damage being caused by the rattle, it is the pin inside of the vtc moving around inside the housing. the spring is not keeping enough tension on the pin itself. Once the oil pressure picks up (after first cold start) the rattle goes away usually with the pin being seated properly in the actuator

Our CR-V rattles on cold start when it's been sitting in the garage and it's cold out, for So Cal. It has almost 44k miles on it. I change the oil [Mobil 1] on a regular basis. I'm not going to worry about it. The VTC is working as designed.

Keep oil above just above the second dot on dip stick. The rattle is the pin inside the vtc not seating properly with just the pressure of the spring hence why when the oil pressure is higher after first cold start the rattle subsides

Keep oil above just above the second dot on dip stick. The rattle is the pin inside the vtc not seating properly with just the pressure of the spring hence why when the oil pressure is higher after first cold start the rattle subsides

Hi. I have been studying the rattle noise for a few months now. The rattle itself will not cause any harm to your engine. Replacing the VTC cam can be good for a year, two years, or less before the rattle comes back. Honda should sheel a very simple a cheap fix for it, but they don,t! Al we would need a a better inner and titanium built spring! depending upon many situations, that inner spring get lazy and weaker with time and on cold startups it likes to stick and not lock for a few seconds until it pushes the lock pin into place. That's all! And many are paying thousands replacing the complete gear, (tats 95% of the time fine). I would call it a scam by many garages and by Honda!

Its crazy that a spring that could be manufactured for$0.20 each can cause a 1000 dollar repair been looking into this and have found many lawsuits from Honda