2002 Odyssey Engine/Transmission Whine

I have a 2002 Odyssey EX that is approaching 60,000 miles. When we
started it up the day before yesterday in the garage we noticed what
sounded like a whining sound coming from the engine compartment. The
vehicle is kept in a heated garage (55 deg F). It is not extremely
loud, but is most noticeable when the engine is revved and is
decelerating to idle from about 1800 RPM.

My fist thought was that it sounded like a power steering pump that is
low on fluid. Fluid level was fine. Using a stethoscope could not
hear any abnormal noise from pump.

Could also not hear any abnormal noise from alternator or A/C
compressor. Cycled compressor on and off with no change.

It's difficult to actually pinpoint source of noise, but it sort of
sounds to me like it is lower in the engine or possibly transmission.
Noise level seems to be the same on either the driver or passenger
side of engine.

Engine oil and transmission fluid were both very clean and at correct
levels.

Entire vehicle has been serviced at all recommended intervals by the
dealer. Dealer offered a 100K drivetrain warranty if all service was
performed by them at recommended intervals.The timing belt tensioner
TSB was done the first week of November.

I called the dealer on Saturday and was instructed to bring it in.
The van drove fine, but I can still hear the noise when in gear or in
neutral. When I dropped it off, the people that checked it in did not
think anything sounded abnormal. I asked them to have the mechanic do
a side by side comparison with another Odyssey when they actually have
the mechanics look at it during the week.

A couple of questions I have is:

1.) Is it possible that something associated with the belt tensioner
TSB work could be causing this noise?

2.) Is it possible that a bearing in the transmission could be on the
verge of failing?

I guess I'm just curious if anyone has had a similar experience.

Thanks in advance.

Craig Harris

 

Craig,

Your timing belt sounds overtightened, which might manifest itself worst
when you rev it up, then take your foot OFF the gas, and as the rpm
falls you hear a new 'swoosh' noise that wasn't there before.

When the timing belt gets too tight, it 'sings' to itself, a bit like
when the wind makes suspension cables / rigging sing at the right
frequencies.

I'd insist an a new belt while they're in there, since your belt was
accustomed to working at the old tension, now they've increased it way
beyond spec. A new belt might have stretched a bit to accomodate your
installer's mistake, but your belt was already pre-stretched, and soon
to be post-stretched if you don't replace it.

'Curly'

P.S. Start looking for another dealer, if possible.

 

It's a hydraulic tensioner. you can't overtighten them. first
thing's first pop the belts off and isolate the noise. it may be an
accessory. possible it's a tranny bearing but who knows. start with
the basics.
or could be one cam slipped when the tensioner was done. i've seen
it happen a few times.
Chip

 

It could be a vacuum hose...

 

----------------------------
Craig,

Chip's right... I need to read slower and think faster. Your V6 has no
adjustable tensioner inside the engine. :-(

I was refering to a '97 CRV, which had a 4 banger in it.

Unless they installed the new 'Benbo Slotted Timing Belt', there's no
way it should 'sing' at certain RPM.

'Curly'

 

On 12-2-03 the dealer got back to me after looking at and driving the
van.

They said it needs a new transmission. It's still covered by the
dealer warranty. The factory warranty is 3 years or 36, 000 miles,
however the dealer will extend the warranty to 7 years 100,000 miles
on the drive train if you bring the vehicle to them for all scheduled
maintenance including 3,000 mile oil changes. The oil changes cost is
$28.00, so it is a bit more expensive than a grease monkey. This was
the first new vehicle I have ever purchased that I actually had any
sort of extended warranty on. Guess I lucked out by doing that.

Dealer says replacement transmission is a re-manufactured unit meaning
it will have new internal parts and a used case. They also went onto
say that they have never experienced additional problems with the
re-manufactured units. They say the re-man trans is built by Honda
and is not outsourced to a sub-contractor. They also said that the
2003 and newer vehicles with the V-6 power train have significantly
fewer transmision problems than the older vehicles did.

It will take a week or so, for them to receive the replacement
transmission. I'll post a follow-up of how thing go.

Craig