Strange Engine Noise! Help!

[The Voice]

I drive a 2006 Honda Jazz GD3 (1500 V-Tec). Bought it second-hand in 2008 from a Honda dalership with 45000km on the clock (it's currently sitting at 98000km). At app. 90000km, my clutch went. Had it changed, and three days later was in an accident when the car lost traction on a dirt road 100km outside of Bloem. Sump, oil filter, bits of the radiator, front bumper, CV's, suspension and control arms were damaged. Managed to drive it back to JHB, and my insurer towed it away for repair the next day. Got it back app. two months later (GG East Rand Motor Lab!) with most of the damage repaired. It never felt right, and a couple days after that, I noticed grease on the inside of my front rims. The CV boots had gone, which the panel beaters gladly replaced. They however refused to replace the front shocks (the right one's mounting is broken, and it's currently flailing around inside the housing). I've been unable to replace it, as no-one has stock, or wants to charge me over R6k (for two front shocks including alightment! wtf? Honda was R8k btw). Got it booked in to have it fixed at a reputable garage next Tuesday at a reasonable price. So all that's sorted.

Right, so car history over, let's get down to my query. I need some advice/input on the following:

- At approximately 2500-4000RPM I hear a sort of "knocking" noise coming from the engine. It's very different to the regular engine noise.
- I can hear it at any speed and in any gear within that rev range.
- It only occurs when the engine is under load, i.e. I'm in gear. It doesn't do it in neutral - stationary, or if the car's in motion (driving on the highway, drop it into neutral, and rev - the knocking noise disappears, but continues when I put it back into gear).

I've checked dozens of forums, but none of them have been any help. Any petrolheads here have any ideas?

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

It could be the big end bearings, the symptoms you describe points to that. I find it strange however that the big ends can go at such a low mileage.

Something else could also be wrong, best advice is to take it to a reputable mechanic.

 

[The Voice]

It could be the big end bearings, the symptoms you describe points to that. I find it strange however that the big ends can go at such a low mileage.

Something else could also be wrong, best advice is to take it to a reputable mechanic.

Big end bearings does not sound good!

 

[Priapus]

It could be the big end bearings, the symptoms you describe points to that. I find it strange however that the big ends can go at such a low mileage.

Something else could also be wrong, best advice is to take it to a reputable mechanic.

Not the fact that he drove it after the sum and oil filter were damaged? That to me sounds like the cause for big end bearings to go. And to the OP: if this is the problem, get some lube out - its a very costly repair.

 

[HapticSimian]

That poor car...

 

[The Voice]

Hmm, better safe than sorry, I guess. I'll take it to Honda and have them look at it. Better to know exactly what's wrong with it I suppose.

 

[Priapus]

Why Honda? You will need even more lube for that ordeal. Just take it to a reputable mechanic / workshop. And do it sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Not the fact that he drove it after the sum and oil filter were damaged? That to me sounds like the cause for big end bearings to go. And to the OP: if this is the problem, get some lube out - its a very costly repair.

A proper mechanic would have checked the big ends since he should have known that damage most probably have occurred and replaced them, hence me wondering how it could be the big ends.

 

[Priapus]

A proper mechanic would have checked the big ends since he should have known that damage most probably have occurred and replaced them, hence me wondering how it could be the big ends.

Ah - now you're assuming he took it to a "proper-machanic" and that they actually checked the big ends. Also its a lot of effort to check bearings. Its not some something you "Quickly check and replace"

 

[The Voice]

Why Honda? You will need even more lube for that ordeal. Just take it to a reputable mechanic / workshop. And do it sooner rather than later. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get.

I just figured I'd take it to Honda cause they work with the brand specifically (not that this would be a brand-specific problem, mind you). Also, it's just to have them check it out - they don't charge for that. once I know for sure what's wrong, I can work on getting it fixed somewhere else.

 

[The Voice]

Ah - now you're assuming he took it to a "proper-machanic" and that they actually checked the big ends. Also its a lot of effort to check bearings. Its not some something you "Quickly check and replace"

Well, I didn't take it to a mechanic beforehand - my insurer did. Pity, though, as the place they use is quite highly regarded (they're preferred by Audi, BMW, Toyota).

But I guess there's no short way around it: I actually have to take it to someone who'll have to take the engine apart, am I right? Kind of means taking it to Honda for a "quick look" is out of the question! I've got 25 days leave coming up on the 25th. It'll have to wait until then. Apart from big end bearings, is there anything else it might be?

 

[Priapus]

I just figured I'd take it to Honda cause they work with the brand specifically (not that this would be a brand-specific problem, mind you). Also, it's just to have them check it out - they don't charge for that. once I know for sure what's wrong, I can work on getting it fixed somewhere else.

Just take note that because they know their cars - doesn't mean they will know what is wrong. Dealerships sell cars mostly. Having said that I have heard and seen plenty of cases where a dealership was unable to fix a car and a private workshop was.

But if they are not going to charge you to look at it, then I guess you might as well take it to them.

Also if it was the big ends I am sure you would also hear it when not under load. But its all guess work without actually listening to the car.

 

[The Voice]

Just take note that because they know their cars - doesn't mean they will know what is wrong. Dealerships sell cars mostly. Having said that I have heard and seen plenty of cases where a dealership was unable to fix a car and a private workshop was.

But if they are not going to charge you to look at it, then I guess you might as well take it to them.

Also if it was the big ends I am sure you would also hear it when not under load. But its all guess work without actually listening to the car.

I'll try record the sound when I'm driving, and post it here.

 

[SmartKit]

Turn up the radio! Quick!

 

[Mortymoose]

Maybe your car needs one of those etag thingy's?

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Ah - now you're assuming he took it to a "proper-machanic" and that they actually checked the big ends. Also its a lot of effort to check bearings. Its not some something you "Quickly check and replace"

Well if someone brings in a car with a damaged sump and oil filter knowing that person drove the car like that for 100km or however long it was, a mechanic would have stripped the engine down since other things like the pistons/rings & the cylinder bores also most probably have been damaged, then it certainty wouldn't have been a big job since the engine is already out of the car.

Looks like the OP paid a lot of money for a have baked job, and now he has to pay for it.

Edit: I think he has his insurer to blame, since it's them who had the car towed to the garage.

 

[Priapus]

Well if someone brings in a car with a damaged sump and oil filter knowing that person drove the car like that for 100km, a mechanic would have stripped the engine down since other things like the pistons/rings & the cylinder bores also most probably have been damaged, then it certainty wouldn't have been a big job since the engine is already out of the car.

Again, you're assuming all of this actually took place. When in fact it probably didn't.

 

[Fuma]

R6k for them shocks? Shocked.
Mine are R1k including labor.

 

[InTheCube]

You drove from 100km out of Bloem to Joburg, with your car in THAT condition? You've probably caused quite a bit of internal damage to the engine, which will only be revealed if they strip the engine to its bones. That is neither quick nor cheap.

I don't think you should be driving the car at all, nevermind for another 25 days. You could end up stuck/stranded in some place you wouldn't ever want to be stuck. You could also cease the engine, which is then going to be very expensive to repair, or replace. Either way, sounds to me like you're going have to fork out quite a bit to get this resolved, so be prepared.

 

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Again, you're assuming all of this actually took place. When in fact it probably didn't.

LOL just pointing out what should have happened, and trying to help the OP. Let's focus on that.