Engine noise on idle

[Shutterbug]

I had my 06 silver Ridgeline in for an oil and filter change at 27000 miles. The truck runs great, but I began hearing a slight rubbing like noise inside the cab and also outside the truck coming from the engine compartment when idling or driving slowly. It sounded to me like a belt or accessory alignment problem. I mentioned this to the Honda tech. He made a quick check by cleaning and removing the drive belt, he still heard the sound that came from the engine. I was told to schedule for a repair since the sound came from the engine they thought it may be a timing belt or a bearing issue and wanted to repair the truck under warranty.
I was told after a thorough check that the sound is real but it was not an engine problem to worry about. The Honda dealer contacted Honda headquarters for help in solving the problem and the dealer was told this was not the first time that Honda heard of this Ridgeline issue. Honda said they are trying to determine the cause and determine a fix for this mysterious engine sound. I was given a Honda confirmation number to indicate the problem was observed under warranty.
The sound is like a belt that is not aligned properly on an idler pulley. But the engine makes this sound without a belt or attached accessories.
Anyone else notice this engine noise? I am not a person that complains about minor engine sounds. This was confirmed by a Honda dealer repair tech and the dealer felt there was a cause for alarm since it was from the engine and contacted Honda headquarters. I am not hearing things!

[El Padre]

This noise started after the oil change or was it present when you took it in?

[HondaTech]

I think the reason they didn't "fix" anything is because Honda is still developing a permanent resolution. From what I know about this noise (it happens on some 3.5L, not just the Ridges) it is only that, a noise. No abnormal wear or stress on anything. So the urgency of repair is not high. When Honda comes up with a lasting solution, they will likely write a service bulletin about it. At that time, you can get it fixed, even if you are past warranty - because you got it documented before hand.


HT

[Shutterbug]

Originally Posted by El Padre

This noise started after the oil change or was it present when you took it in?

Noise there before oil change. Shutterbug

[N68330]

Originally Posted by Shutterbug

I had my 06 silver Ridgeline in for an oil and filter change at 27000 miles. The truck runs great, but I began hearing a slight rubbing like noise inside the cab and also outside the truck coming from the engine compartment when idling or driving slowly. It sounded to me like a belt or accessory alignment problem. I mentioned this to the Honda tech. He made a quick check by cleaning and removing the drive belt, he still heard the sound that came from the engine. I was told to schedule for a repair since the sound came from the engine they thought it may be a timing belt or a bearing issue and wanted to repair the truck under warranty.
I was told after a thorough check that the sound is real but it was not an engine problem to worry about. The Honda dealer contacted Honda headquarters for help in solving the problem and the dealer was told this was not the first time that Honda heard of this Ridgeline issue. Honda said they are trying to determine the cause and determine a fix for this mysterious engine sound. I was given a Honda confirmation number to indicate the problem was observed under warranty.
The sound is like a belt that is not aligned properly on an idler pulley. But the engine makes this sound without a belt or attached accessories.
Anyone else notice this engine noise? I am not a person that complains about minor engine sounds. This was confirmed by a Honda dealer repair tech and the dealer felt there was a cause for alarm since it was from the engine and contacted Honda headquarters. I am not hearing things!

Shutterbug, if I understand your description of what you are hearing, I'm having a similar issue with my '06. I began hearing a rhythmic rubbing-like (maybe even a slight rattle-like sound as if a bad idler bearing turning with excessive play in it -- the sound is sort of hard for me to describe for some reason) sound coming from the front of the engine (vehicle rightside) a few months ago which is very obvious once the engine has been running for a couple of minutes and in Park or Neutral. The sound is not at first apparent when the engine is cold and I first start it, but once the engine begins to warm up the sound begins to steadily increase until it reaches its final constant level. The pattern is always the same and the sound never fails to appear like clockwork. I have noticed though when the truck is in gear and timing belt, etc. are under load the sound is barely noticeable if at all. I guess this is why I further suspected it was the idler or tensioner. Maybe, HT can shed some further light on this reasoning of mine. When I first became really tuned into this sound, I, at first, thought it was just normal and I had just finally really realized it was there. I began telling myself it must have always been this way, and I just hadn't ever really noticed or paid attention to it -- but I couldn't believe it was always there from day one and I never noticed it, not with my obsessive/compulsiveness! I guess I was also thinking perhaps it was the air pump (smog pump) used with the emission control system, but then after a quick reference check in my service manual I realized an air pump is not used with this engine as on some other models and makes. This is my first Honda vehicle (other than motorcycles) so I'm not real acclimated to the various design philosophies incorporated by Honda compared to some other manufacturers -- and since I've not had any problems with the engine -- I just never took the time yet to really delve into all of the particulars of this engine yet.

Well anyway, I pulled out my mechanic's stethoscope to begin isolating the sound and I found the sound is definitely coming from behind the timing belt cover on the idler pulley side. So after researching on the ROC for similar issues, I found several people have had similar problems with the idler pulley, the tensioner, or the timing belt itself. After reading your post, I don't know what to think now. I know for sure the sound is not coming from anything related to the drive belt and its associated accessories so if not the idler pulley or anything associated with the timing belt, I just don't know... I guess I should have had it looked at long before now, but after having experience with defective idlers, and reading here that some others had a similar problem solved by replacing the idler, tensioner, or timing belt, I decided when I have time, I'll take it in while still under warranty. I felt certain it was the idler and I knew that, although they can become noisy, the engine would run fine and it was no immediate problem that had to be remedied immediately. However, now after reading your post, I'm just hoping it is something that can, or will soon be, isolated and diagnosed for sure as the culprit, and pray it isn't anything serious or potentially so!

I have it scheduled to be looked at next week so I guess I'll feel either better or worse after having my dealer look at it and hearing what they have to say.

[Shutterbug]

Originally Posted by N68330

Shutterbug, if I understand your description of what you are hearing, I'm having a similar issue with my '06. I began hearing a rhythmic rubbing-like (maybe even a slight rattle-like sound as if a bad idler bearing turning with excessive play in it -- the sound is sort of hard for me to describe for some reason) sound coming from the front of the engine (vehicle rightside) a few months ago which is very obvious once the engine has been running for a couple of minutes and in Park or Neutral. The sound is not at first apparent when the engine is cold and I first start it, but once the engine begins to warm up the sound begins to steadily increase until it reaches its final constant level. The pattern is always the same and the sound never fails to appear like clockwork. I have noticed though when the truck is in gear and timing belt, etc. are under load the sound is barely noticeable if at all. I guess this is why I further suspected it was the idler or tensioner. Maybe, HT can shed some further light on this reasoning of mine. When I first became really tuned into this sound, I, at first, thought it was just normal and I had just finally really realized it was there. I began telling myself it must have always been this way, and I just hadn't ever really noticed or paid attention to it -- but I couldn't believe it was always there from day one and I never noticed it, not with my obsessive/compulsiveness! I guess I was also thinking perhaps it was the air pump (smog pump) used with the emission control system, but then after a quick reference check in my service manual I realized an air pump is not used with this engine as on some other models and makes. This is my first Honda vehicle (other than motorcycles) so I'm not real acclimated to the various design philosophies incorporated by Honda compared to some other manufacturers -- and since I've not had any problems with the engine -- I just never took the time yet to really delve into all of the particulars of this engine yet.

Well anyway, I pulled out my mechanic's stethoscope to begin isolating the sound and I found the sound is definitely coming from behind the timing belt cover on the idler pulley side. So after researching on the ROC for similar issues, I found several people have had similar problems with the idler pulley, the tensioner, or the timing belt itself. After reading your post, I don't know what to think now. I know for sure the sound is not coming from anything related to the drive belt and its associated accessories so if not the idler pulley or anything associated with the timing belt, I just don't know... I guess I should have had it looked at long before now, but after having experience with defective idlers, and reading here that some others had a similar problem solved by replacing the idler, tensioner, or timing belt, I decided when I have time, I'll take it in while still under warranty. I felt certain it was the idler and I knew that, although they can become noisy, the engine would run fine and it was no immediate problem that had to be remedied immediately. However, now after reading your post, I'm just hoping it is something that can, or will soon be, isolated and diagnosed for sure as the culprit, and pray it isn't anything serious or potentially so!

I have it scheduled to be looked at next week so I guess I'll feel either better or worse after having my dealer look at it and hearing what they have to say.

You described the sound, location, intensity and conditions of this engine noise exactly as I hear it too. I too thought it was an idler bearing or belt alignment. All I can say, get Honda to verify this in case a problem should occur later. Shutterbug

[Shutterbug]

Originally Posted by HondaTech

I think the reason they didn't "fix" anything is because Honda is still developing a permanent resolution. From what I know about this noise (it happens on some 3.5L, not just the Ridges) it is only that, a noise. No abnormal wear or stress on anything. So the urgency of repair is not high. When Honda comes up with a lasting solution, they will likely write a service bulletin about it. At that time, you can get it fixed, even if you are past warranty - because you got it documented before hand.


HT

Thanks for the reply. That is why I bought a Honda, they will stand good for a problem after they solve it, even after the waranty runs out. As my Honda dealer said, I am covered, just drive the Ridgeline until a fix is found. If you hear of something to resolve this noise issue please let me know so that I can eliminate the annoying sound as soon as possible.
Shutterbug

[Dominator]

Well if its happening at idle I guess its not this
Service Bulletin
November 20, 2007
07-028

see attachment

Sorry, wouldn't let me upload the pdf with pic but I guess you can make out the txt.

[Shutterbug]

Originally Posted by Dominator

Well if its happening at idle I guess its not this
Service Bulletin
November 20, 2007
07-028

see attachment

Sorry, wouldn't let me upload the pdf with pic but I guess you can make out the txt.

Thanks for the service bulletin. It does not appear this is the issue in the engine noise I hear. Shutterbug

[ToyTruck]

Funny, I hear something like that on mine--kind of like a water pump in the early stages of death. Only at idle and not very loud either.