Hello ~ new to this great site!

I very recently had all of the gaskets and seals replaced on my car due to signs of seepage and leaks. The VTEC solenoid spool valve was also replaced. The work was performed at a Honda dealership. I am now hearing a noise (low to mid-range squeal is my best description) that my longtime mechanic believes is most likely coming from the timing belt which is pretty new at about 15K miles; total mileage 143K. He explained that all of the belts had to be removed in order to also remove the engine, and that when putting the timing belt back in place, the tension is never going to be quite the same as when it was initially installed. He believes there's a fair chance the noise, which seems to vary in volume, will eventually die down. To be more sure, all bearings, serpentine and alternator belts, pulleys, and the harmonic balancer were checked, and they're good.

However, I am also hearing what may be a separate, low noise that's difficult to decipher and describe. It sounds like perhaps a growl that starts with and continues throughout acceleration, regardless of speed. The car seems to be driving well otherwise, and no lights have come on, but I know my car which I've driven for 12 years, and every single sound it normally makes.

Has anyone here experienced this type of repair work and did you have any issues afterward? I'm wondering if it was alright to install the same timing belt, assuming that's the issue or at least part of the issue.

p.s. When I returned my car to the dealership, naturally, as sometimes happens with cars, it wasn't making the first noise described here. No road test was performed, since I didn't detect this until a bit later.

Thanks everyone.

 

I don't think they would have removed the timing belt....unless there was leaking from cam or crank seal(s)?

If the noise is happening more often now, I would take it back to the dealer again for another look.

Did your tech remove the "drive belt(s)" and start the engine to see if the noise was still there.