[gfriedman99]

I have the same thing: spring fix worked for a few months and now rattle is back. There is also a slight tick noise.
Did you check chain stretch when you replaced the tensioner? ie. Was the tensioner maxed out? You can check that pretty easily through the tensioner cover. It would make sense that a chain with too much slack could make a slight noise like that while still maintaining correct timing.
I have new chain, guides, tensioner, VVT solenoid sitting on my bench waiting to be installed. Just don’t know if I should also replace the actuator. It may not be necessary, but I don’t want to have to do this job twice. I may wait and inspect the actuator during disassembly and see how it looks. Guy at Honda dealer told me they redesigned it five times, but I’ve yet to find out what exactly changed! I can’t imagine they only changed the locking pin spring that many times.

Most likely the new rattle is from the chain and not the actuator - especially if it's a more subtle rattle noise. Not sure what this tick noise is that people are hearing. It might be the guides or the tensioner if the chain is loose. When the chain gets really bad it starts eating into the timing cover but you should get a P0341 before then.

How are you checking the tensioner extension? I cant really see the extended piece because the hole isn't big enough - thank you honda :-(

You could go either way replacing the actuator or not. It's not that much more work to do it separately - you don't have to take off the timing cover which is the hardest part. But having the chain off is one less step - guess it comes down to funds as its like $200 oem.

I don't think they redesigned it 5 times. Maybe for the entire product line across all engines it has but it's only been updated once for the CRV as far as I can tell.

 

[gfriedman99]

OK guys I found an earlier thread which seems to identify the source of the ticking noise. Seems to be related to chain slap against one of the guides. https://www.crvownersclub.com/posts/1704064/

BTW, the plastic on the guides is known to break off and then fall into the oil pan then get sucked up into the oil pump intake screen. So I'd definitely be checking the chain and tensioner if I heard a tick.

 

[mag1]

Thanks for all the info. This might be a winter project for me.

 

[kevinkgb]

2012 Honda CRV EX AWD 150k:

First cold winter on the vehicle and noticed I was getting VTC rattle on startup whenever the temperature drops to about 40F°-30F° and the engine itself cooled to that temp.

During the summer I get ZERO rattle on startup. I use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w-20 and OEM filters every 5K miles

At this point I'm probably going to let it keep rattling unless the chain tensioner goes bad and at that point Ill probably replace the chain, chain tensioner, VTC actuator (updated version).

 

[sugababy476]

I have a 2014 crv in the shop right now getting a new chain, sprocket, tensioner, cam and chain guide (among other things) it was causing a check engine light to come on. The code read camshaft position sensor. $3k better make it never fail inspection again!

 

[tglenn]

2012 Honda CRV EX AWD 150k:

First cold winter on the vehicle and noticed I was getting VTC rattle on startup whenever the temperature drops to about 40F°-30F° and the engine itself cooled to that temp.

During the summer I get ZERO rattle on startup. I use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w-20 and OEM filters every 5K miles

At this point I'm probably going to let it keep rattling unless the chain tensioner goes bad and at that point Ill probably replace the chain, chain tensioner, VTC actuator (updated version).

Unfortunately the revised actuator doesn't fix it. 100% of 2014s have this problem but all we get is crickets from Honda.

 

[jrsavoie]

I have a 2014 crv in the shop right now getting a new chain, sprocket, tensioner, cam and chain guide (among other things) it was causing a check engine light to come on. The code read camshaft position sensor. $3k better make it never fail inspection again!

How many miles are on it?

 

[kevinkgb]

Unfortunately the revised actuator doesn't fix it. 100% of 2014s have this problem but all we get is crickets from Honda.

Is this something you went out and researched? 100% is a bold claim

 

[tglenn]

Is this something you went out and researched? 100% is a bold claim

I'm not claiming anything, that's what Honda's official technical service bulletin says.

 

[jrsavoie]

Is this something you went out and researched? 100% is a bold claim

I'd say it's a dang good guesstimate

 

[tglenn]

Is this something you went out and researched? 100% is a bold claim

 

[Honda-Guy]

2014 CR-V AWD, 95k miles, well-maintained.
7.5k OCI (but reduced to 6k OCI since two years ago)
Bosch Premium filter, full synthetic 0W-20 oil (mainly Pennzoil, Pen HM since 60k miles, twice Valvoline R&P recently).

Recent 100k service (new NGK sparkplugs, ATF, diff fluid, coolant, brake service)
One-year old Crossclimate2 tires w. 15k miles.
VTC actuator was replaced under warranty at 36k miles at year 4.5.

I plan to keep for another 3 years and try to get a bit more use out of it.

Current Issue: After replacing the VTC spring in early August (using the silver spring from Spring-start), I'm now getting a squeaking sound when the engine is cold after sitting for a few hours, specially notable when I gently step on the gas at low speed.
The sound resembles a bad belt or tensioner, but I've ruled that out by installing a new Gates belt and confirming the tensioner and idler are smooth (also confirmed with a reputable local shop).

My speculation: Based on forum posts about similar issues after VTC spring replacement, I suspect the problem is related to the recent VTC spring job.

https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/squeak-squeal-noise-after-replacing-vtc-actuator-spring.245189/

https://www.crvownersclub.com/threads/chirping-sound-after-vtc-actuator-spring-replacement-to-fix-startup-rattle.231052/

I also noticed the timing chain may be slightly stretched (see pictures, click to enlarge).

The Dilemma: I stripped two acorn nuts on the valve cover, making another valve cover removal a tedious job.
I'm also moving to an apartment with a shared underground garage that forbids car repair at the end of August (and the winter is too cold to work on cars outside).
If the squeaking sound is from the VTC or the stretched timing chain could cause engine damage, I'll need to have a shop handle it after I have moved to the new apartment.

Question: Should I address this now? Could the squeaking sound be damaging to the engine?
Any suggestions for diagnosis or repair approach given my constraints?


View attachment 179325 View attachment 179326 View attachment 179327

Did you already install a new Honda R40 Timing Chain tensioner? This is typically the cause for that.

 

[Honda-Guy]

So, the saga continues. I had replaced my vtc actuator springs last summer, was good for a little bit, but then eventually came back, at every start. My last oil change, I went to 5w-30, and now I just went to 5w-20 as that was what I had on hand. I think I am on my 4th oil change with valvoline restore and protect. I have had a timing chain tensioner on the shelf for the last 2 years, and put Finally that in. When I restarted, then let it sit the next night, all was quiet. 2 days later, I am back to a much quieter rattle, but still get. Rattle. But here is the weird noise, I now have a tick at idle. Sounds maybe like a lifter noise, but it’s more on the side down near the crank/timing chain area. Any ideas as to what now? I have no codes, and it drives great. My chain could be stretched some, but not bad yet. Any ideas, thoughts?

Did you use the customized 2014 CRV Spring-Start kit or something else?

 

[Honda-Guy]

I would go with Gates or the Dorman unit. They both have lifetime warranties

Many aftermarket VTC Actuators are junk. OEM Honda actuators are best. Don't mess with Chinese junk on your timing components.

 

[jrsavoie]

Many aftermarket VTC Actuators are junk. OEM Honda actuators are best. Don't mess with Chinese junk on your timing components.

Or electrical components

 

[riverrockG19]

At this point I'm probably going to let it keep rattling unless the chain tensioner goes bad and at that point Ill probably replace the chain, chain tensioner, VTC actuator (updated version).

The tensioner probably is bad. The tensioners definitely do cause the start up rattle. Replace it asap.

 

[ermiller814]

It will not be the last time you will deal with this issue unless you dump the car immediately after the repair is finished and send the problem child along to someone else. See TSB 09-010 Ver 5 and TSB 16-012 Ver 2. My daughter had a 2014 crv and she replaced the VTC actuator twice in the 4 years she owned it.

 

[jrsavoie]

It will not be the last time you will deal with this issue unless you dump the car immediately after the repair is finished and send the problem child along to someone else. See TSB 09-010 Ver 5 and TSB 16-012 Ver 2. My daughter had a 2014 crv and she replaced the VTC actuator twice in the 4 years she owned it.

I am having problems understanding why there isn't a fix yet.

Especially if other years with about the same engine, do not have the issue.

What am I missing?

We have a 2014 with about 130,000 miles the noise started about 80,000 miles

My daughter has a 2013 with about 40,000 miles- hers has not started the noise yet.

 

[russellksherman]

Just installed the Spring-start spring on my 2013 Honda crv ex. I went with the heavy duty spring and when I started it up it had a nasty squeak/ clink sound right at the VTC actuator. I thought taking it for a quick drive would solve it to get the oil moving and it was still there. Tore it back apart and installed the less aggressive spring. Cleaned and lubed up the locking pin then threw a glob of high temp grease on the end of the spring. Not sure why just didn’t want to chance it making the noise. Threw it all back other and everything is working as it should. No cold start rattle anymore. Hopefully it stays. Just saying going extreme spring might not be the option as it caused some terrible noise but the medium step down spring seems to be working well.

 

[gfriedman99]

Many aftermarket VTC Actuators are junk. OEM Honda actuators are best. Don't mess with Chinese junk on your timing components.

You must be joking. The Honda actuator has an incredible failure rate - that's why this 32 page thread is here in the first place. Not only that but it's so bad that it actually enabled SpringStart to create a market for replacement springs. Secondly, if Honda actuator is so great why does it only come with a 1 year warranty? Even Honda won't stand behind it. As I already said some aftermarket units come with a lifetime warranty.