bell-like sound at idle

[edlab03]

im getting this bell-like sound coming from the engine bay during idle. i poked around today to see whats going on and i can't pinpoint the problem. anybodt ever experience this?

[pyro_maniac69]

something internal possibly?

[ParoXoN]

Things in the engine bay are usually internal, yes. It's highly unlikely that some ventriloquous extrenal source is projecting the sound into his engine bay ^.^;


By bell-like sound I assume you mean a tone (like a note on a piano or a microwave beep; coherent, consistent sound.) Unwanted tones are usually created by mechanical resonance or due to air sliding over some sort of chamber.

How loud and how low/deep is this sound you're hearing?

[pyro_maniac69]

Things in the engine bay are usually internal, yes. It's highly unlikely that some ventriloquous extrenal source is projecting the sound into his engine bay ^.^;


By bell-like sound I assume you mean a tone (like a note on a piano or a microwave beep; coherent, consistent sound.) Unwanted tones are usually created by mechanical resonance or due to are sliding over some sort of chamber.

How loud and how low/deep is this sound you're hearing?

Captain obvious is me.....now where'd I park the squad car?

[Lemniscate]

Things in the engine bay are usually internal, yes. It's highly unlikely that some ventriloquous extrenal source is projecting the sound into his engine bay ^.^;


By bell-like sound I assume you mean a tone (like a note on a piano or a microwave beep; coherent, consistent sound.) Unwanted tones are usually created by mechanical resonance or due to air sliding over some sort of chamber.

How loud and how low/deep is this sound you're hearing?

sliding air?

[Thomas_LX]

Does everyone have to be a smart ass?! Seriously, if you are just going to post some bullshit post like "deeeeee sliding air" just don't.
What he was obviously talking about is the effect you get when you blow across the top of an empty beer bottle. Air passing over the gap creates a vibration. Vibration=Sound.
Note: when trying to isolate a funny sound, try the following that I picked up while taking a couple ASE classes at the local COmmunity College. Take a big long screwdriver and place it on a safe part of the engine, and put your ear to the end of the screwdriver. It basically acts like a stethoscope. Every shop that has been effective in my past has carried stethoscopes in their toolkits, like Automasters in Sacramento (Shameless Plug). Give it a go.

[Lemniscate]

Does everyone have to be a smart ass?! Seriously, if you are just going to post some bullshit post like "deeeeee sliding air" just don't.
What he was obviously talking about is the effect you get when you blow across the top of an empty beer bottle. Air passing over the gap creates a vibration. Vibration=Sound.
Note: when trying to isolate a funny sound, try the following that I picked up while taking a couple ASE classes at the local COmmunity College. Take a big long screwdriver and place it on a safe part of the engine, and put your ear to the end of the screwdriver. It basically acts like a stethoscope. Every shop that has been effective in my past has carried stethoscopes in their toolkits, like Automasters in Sacramento (Shameless Plug). Give it a go.

alright then i'll try it your way

i'm not exactly sure what your particular "bell sound" actually sounds like, but i'm willing to venture a guess that it is valvetrain related. a loose rocker maybe.

now how much fun was that?

[pyro_maniac69]

Does everyone have to be a smart ass?! Seriously, if you are just going to post some bullshit post like "deeeeee sliding air" just don't.
What he was obviously talking about is the effect you get when you blow across the top of an empty beer bottle. Air passing over the gap creates a vibration. Vibration=Sound.
Note: when trying to isolate a funny sound, try the following that I picked up while taking a couple ASE classes at the local COmmunity College. Take a big long screwdriver and place it on a safe part of the engine, and put your ear to the end of the screwdriver. It basically acts like a stethoscope. Every shop that has been effective in my past has carried stethoscopes in their toolkits, like Automasters in Sacramento (Shameless Plug). Give it a go.

MR. HOLLANDs OPUS, great movie

[Accord13&BA4]

I was going to suggest what Thomas_LX said...

Bell sound? What is that? you have to be a bit more specific...

is it more of a "whistling" sound?

Try what Thomas_LX said, put a scewdriver to your alternator with the motor on. Ask your friend to rev the motor from the car or from the throttle cable.
--Do you hear that, "BELL" sound from the alternator?
Do that also anywhere on teh power steering area...could be a faulty belt or bearing...


Now, you do know how ticking valves sound right? at idle you would hear, "Tick-tick....tick, tick, tick...."

Let us know!

[edlab03]

I was going to suggest what Thomas_LX said...

Bell sound? What is that? you have to be a bit more specific...

is it more of a "whistling" sound?

Try what Thomas_LX said, put a scewdriver to your alternator with the motor on. Ask your friend to rev the motor from the car or from the throttle cable.
--Do you hear that, "BELL" sound from the alternator?
Do that also anywhere on teh power steering area...could be a faulty belt or bearing...


Now, you do know how ticking valves sound right? at idle you would hear, "Tick-tick....tick, tick, tick...."

Let us know!

did all that you suggested yesterday. it's definetly not coming from the alternator ands it's not a belt screeching. i am aware of the "tick" since this is my fourth honda. i revved the engine and the "clinging bell sound" actually went away. it just happens at idle. sounds more like its coming from under the car or the bottom end. i was hoping someone has had the same problem and would know a "fix" for it.

thanks for the help guys.

[Accord13&BA4]

Okay, it's not the stuff we said.

Try this:

Jack the car up on jackstands.
Look underneath were the exhaust manifold downpipe is connected to the cat-converter. There usually is a shield that covers one piping section...perhaps that is loose and/or rusted and rattles at idle but goes away when driving...

i had this problem on my Civic, drove me nuts!!

...this only happens in D not in Neutral right?

try that...

[edlab03]

car is manual so it happens at all times when the car is at idle.

im going to jack it up this weekend to see whats going on under there.

its not a loud sound at all. just gets on my nerves not knowing what it is.

[Matty B]

that sounds just like a heat sheild rattling to me guy