2008 Accord - metallic noise on a cold start
 

Greetings. This problem started a few months ago. I own a 2008 Honda Accord EX-L with 65000 miles. When starting my Honda first thing in the morning, I hear an odd sound from the engine area. Hard to describe, but its metallic, sort of a cross between a rattling sound and a screeching sound. It lasts about a half a second. It starts as soon as the engine cranks up and then goes away. If I turn off the engine and restart it, no noise. That may be the last time it happens that day, unless it sits for four or five hours, then it will happen again but slightly less severe sound, not as loud and a little shorter. Its not really a squealing sound like a belt, but a harsher metallic sound, somewhere between a screech, a squeal, and a rattle.

If the engine is warm, it appears, the sound does not occur.

I took it a Honda Dealer finally yesterday, but it was after a 20 mile drive. I told them the details as best as I could and left it with them. They also fixed an AC problem. But called a couple hours after I dropped it off and they said my problem was probably that I was low on oil. No oil registerd on my dip stick. One thing I haven't been doing apparently is checkin my oil between oil changes. They told me the Accord will burn a 1/2 quart of oil every 1000 miles or so, so even if you follow the percent oil reminder thing, you should check the oil every 1000 miles or so and top it off between oil changes. Never new that.

But this morning, the same noise happened again. So the oil was not apparently the problem, although I'm glad I learned that bit of info about the oil.

Seems like I will have to take it back to them and leave it over night, but thats inconvenient, have to rent a car and so forth.

Any ideas, or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Seems to be starter needs to be serviced.

Probably VTC actuator. I'm not at my regular computer right now; but, there is a technical service bulletin regarding this. You probably can find the thread through a search.

Might help to have someone start the car for you first thing in the morning, when it's cold. Then you can have the hood open & listen to try to pinpoint the location of the sound. Just don't get yourself caught up in the spinning belts.

If I ignore the "metallic" part of your description, it might be a drive belt getting old & slippery. So maybe it's the bearings getting worn in the tensioner pulley for the drive belt?

See this thread:

https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...tart-up-47746/

X2 on the vtc actuator.....sound clip would be great!

Yes, always check the oil level. It is an "oil life" monitor.....not an oil level monitor. I usually try to check the oil level in all of mine at least once a month. Some have leaks, yes I'm lazy :), some don't but the peace of mind it gives me....priceless.

Same problem
 

I have 2008 Accord LxP- 4 cyclinder.
I have the exact same noise at cold start. Happens only first time in the morning. Does not happen again.
Do let me know if you find a resolution.

I think this is a common problem. I would describe the sound my engine makes as more of a rattle. Only happens on cold start. The rattle I had used to occur at other times, but they did a programming change last year and the sound now just occurs on cold start.

My car is also burning oil at the rate of 1/2 to 1 quart every thousand miles. I'm going to take my car in today to complete an oil consumption study.

This thread also has a big discussion on the issue.
https://www.hondaaccordforum.com/for...umption-46240/

That thread is not really related to this thread, additionally, there are no facts the faulty VTC actuator is related to excess oil consumption that some of the Accords may have.

roastbeefmike seemed to indicate a cause-effect relationship:

Not saying he's right, but it seems the start of the noise coincided with my oil consumption issues.