-Pinpointing aul engine’s ‘noise’ conclusions: B A number of engine compo- nents expand at diflerent rates daring the initial start up and warm up, with resulting changes in some clearances during this period. The design criteria result in minor noises, _ which you may have noted. @ If the engine noise is heard w hen starting a cold engine and decreases after the engine is warmed up, carbon may have accumulated in. the combus- tion chamber and on top of the pistons. Carbon accumulation reduces the clearance between Dear Mr. Fix-it, the piston and cylinder head: 1 drive a "94 Honda Civic” causing contact and noise dur- . SI, which is in good condition ing combustion. A carbon with only 55,000 km. cleaner chemical could be used 1 regularly get my oil to remove carbon deposits changed, get my regular tune- from the combustion chamber. ups and things have been fine — Retest after a cold start. until about cight months ago, EE Piston slapping — top ‘of when it started making a “chk- — engine knocking noise occurs clik” noise when | first start it. . in time with crankshaft’ rota-_. It scems more pronounced tion under load on accelera- when F accelerate, and gets a tion. little less pronounced after a @ Valve lash’ tappet noise (top few minutes, but is still always of engine chatter) — occurs there. several times faster than crank- Needless to say [ took it to shaft rotation: =: the Honda dealership, who %% Crankshaft noise — bottom apparently adjusted . some of engine. knocking. noise. valves, and said “Some Hondas occurs in time with crankshaft | RegencyGM = ues Announces The are just noisy.” rotation’ at normal" operating . However, my Honda never — temperature. Was noisy at anytime previous. ere may be a variation of. Can you help? noises that may need to be ‘Thanks in advance for any — pointed out by you so the tech- help you can give me. ; nician can come to the proper Sylvia Herr. :*. conclusion, “~ . North Vancotver . There also may be minor * noises that will not, in any way Ar ad Br, spoiler & more. _ Power lacks, tilt, spoiler & more. Dear Sylvia, affect the reliabilicy, function="; Was $17,105 "Was $23,065 To address your situation . ing, or long-term durability of on your 1994 Honda Civic, I the vehicle. . assume it would have to be a Chuck Taylor ‘ 1.61. SOCH (VTEC). MFI Taylormotive Service Led. engine being an Si model. ; (Since 1959) -..-: To determine the exact Got a question for Mr. Fic. noise that you are experienc-. it?. Send. it... c/o: Martin ing, the vehicle would need to Millerchip« North Shore News, be diagnosed by an experi- * 1139° Lonsiale : Ave... North enced technician. ~. Vancouver, B. Cy VIM -2H4 The procedure would bé to.” Fax to 985-2104 or, best of all, let the vehicle cool for a cold wsail