hey guys. i tried the civic forum first, thinking it might be a common problem, but to no avail, and a degree of rudeness after stating i drive something that didnt have an H on the wheel.


anyway long story short, the gf comes to me about a week ago saying when the car is idle in drive (say at a light) it vibrates like crazy. she said it also has a loud knock. im thinking motor mount. all the mounts are tight, and i actually had to replace them all in early '12 because the trans shop in alabama didnt tighten them, and they all cracked on the way to memphis. (before i moved back home).

so all the mounts are good, i tried thicker oil thinking it might help, not that.

its got new plugs and coild as of 15k ago, no codes, no lights, drives fine. i am thoroughly stumped.

the only thing i can think is maybe a flywheel bolt or something. given thaat the motor mounts weren't tight, im wondering if they forgot to tighten other things.

the noise is most noticeable around 1800rpm. i took a video. thanks alot for any help guys!

honda civic knocking sound - YouTube

forgot to post specs. not used to not having the car in question in my sig.

2002 civic ex, 1.7L

after looking at youtube for a bit and looking at civics with rod knock, i am not very hopeful that it will be something i can do in my driveway. i think it might be time to go see a car dealer.

thats what it sounds like to me, something in the lower end let loose. it is possible something bolted to the engine is loose. like the starter or a heat shield. try having someone do what you were doing and listen around in the engine compartment

well, i think it might be the piston hitting the head due to a bad bearing. the sound is coming from under the valve cover. but its wayyy too loud to just be out of time. im just glad it aint an interference engine. atleast itll keep running for a bit.

honda civic rod knock - YouTube

it certainly doesnt sound good. does it have any oil pressure? sounds like a weird screech too

well, the oil light aint on. and the torque app says the car dont have a sensor. so its really a shot in the dark. shes been driving the car about 2 weeks since she told me about the sound so i would hedge a bet that it has atleast some. lol.

i love that, apparently oil pressure isnt important anymore. my 07 monte doesnt have one either

My Ranger had an oil pressure gauge, but it was just a dummy gauge..no better than having a light. If something wasn't right, it would peg either way, but if it was fine, it would sit in the middle. No actual pressure readings. Seems like everything is becoming more "simple" for today'* drivers...

i can understand sort of not having it on the dash, but they should put one on the engine so you can trouble shoot and if you want to see it with a obd type gauge.


You should trade that civic for a 3400/3500 monte. unless she drives in the city.