Honda Forum

[Eric]

Hi..hope someone can help. Tried a FRV with the 2.2 ICDTI engine (44K on the clock). Love the car, love the way the engine pulled. Now have been driving Ford diesels for a long time and one thing I really noticed with the ICDTI engine was whining sound..bit like a compressor!! The engine is quiet so this is just a bit more noticiable. I don't think it has anything to do with the turbo either.

From what I have read this a normal sound for this engine..altenator. Anyone here drive a diesel version and can confirm this is a normal engine noise?

On a Ford such a noise meant the Cam belt tensioner was on its way out. The ICDTI I know is a chain.

Thanks for any help

[Eric]

Well I should be picking up my FRV on Thursday, but will try and test drive another today to compare sounds.

That should hopefully ease any last minute fears in my mind

[marky]

Unfortunatly i have a petrol so cant help, but what your doing is next best thing. To drive another one.
I'm sure it will just be the sound of that type of engine and nothing else to worry about, after all it is a honda!

Let us know what you think of the frv once you've done a few miles.

Mark.

[Eric]

Cheers Marky.. I am sure its is just the different sound of a Honda engine. After so many years of Ford engines youjust tend to constantly listen out for problems!!

[Scorrybreck]

Hi Eric, I've had a 3-year-old 2.2 iCDTi for 4 months now but can't say I've heard a whining noise. In fact I've been quite impressed with how quiet the car is (compared to the petrol Renault Scenic it replaced, anyway!).

I do have another noise however! Sometimes, when accelerating (even gently) you can hear a brief 'rattle' as the revs increase, only for about 1 second, then it goes away. The noise is similar to starting a cold engine with worn tappets, but I don't believe that's the problem in this case. I wondered if it was perhaps the turbo coming in, or does anyone have any other sggestions? This is my first diesel after 30 years of petrol car ownership, so maybe I just need to get used to different noises?!

[dscxc]

I think you'll find the whining noise is the turbo charger, mine does it as well , the engine is so quiet that it is more noticeable.
Nothing to worry about.

[redtek]

Hi Eric,

We've had our FR-V (i-CDTI sport on an 06 plate) from new and I know exactly the noise you're talking about. It sounds like its from the transmission (as it cannot be heard when revving or declutching while on the move). Don't worry though, it's perfectly normal. I remember when I was test driving FR-V's and when I jumped into the diesel I asked the salesman who said the usual "what noise". So, knowing I wasn't going mad I jumped in all the FR-V's they had there (Brayley in Hatfield), I think there was two petrols and two diesels at the time, and both diesels made the louder whine. When my one was ready for collection it too made the noise so there's nowt to worry about It doesn't become annoying either which is what I was worried about when buying. Actually, I never think about it anymore and if anything it's just the character of the car.

I think it's either the gearbox or possibly the engine under load which would account for the fact that the transmission is probably the same between the petrol and diesels.

Cheers,

Steve

[redtek]

Ooo, I just noticed Scorrybreck's comment. I too have that noise! It's like a brief rattle from the engine at a certain rev, usually when applying light accelerator pressure. We've had our car from new and it's always made that noise, so again I believe it's just a quirk from the engine and certainly nothing to worry about. Our's just had the 37.5k service. I asked honda once, when it was new, but typically they didn't know and couldn't hear it on a test drive.

Blimey, when I come to sell this car I'm gonna have some tough questions from perspective buyers ))

Cheers,

Steve