A Few Things...

[GreddyAccord99]

Recently, about 2-3 weeks ago, i took my car into a shop to get some matinence done. Some things I wanted done were: fuel filter, power steering flush, fix oil leak(s), and pressure wash and degrease the engine bay. What I ended up getting done was: spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, about 4-5 small oil leaks fixed, power steering flush, tighten all the belts including timing belt, degrease and polish engine bay, brake pads and rotors, new battery, and new battery terminals. They said in order to fix the oil leaks they had to unbolt the header from the exhaust so they could drop the oil pan. I had no problem with that.

So, I left the car with them and they did work. Well, when it was time to get my car back, everything was f'ed up. the startup was HORRIBLE! It sounded like my car was about to die for good. Not only that but i noticed that the power steering was whining like hell. When I applied brake pressure to the petal, the brakes were TERRIBLE! I had to literally put the petal to the floor to see if it would stop like it used to, and it wasnt even close. After I noticed that, I noticed that i had some extra vibration coming from the engine, and I could feel it through the petal and saw my rear view mirror vibrating. I know you're thinking its my exhaust, but before I took my car to the shop, I never had that extra vibration. And last but not least, the knocking noise. Everytime I left off the brake and accelerate I hear this loud knocking noise and i have no idea where its coming from.

I took it back to the shop and told them everything that was wrong and they fixed most of it. They fixed the start up, which was a dying battery, so that was replaced, along with new terminals. Next was power steering. I told them it was whining like hell and they said there's just some air bubbles in the fluid, i was like and then I started to think it could be due to tightening the belt too much, but I still have no idea. Eventually the brakes pads settled down like they said it would but they were nothing compared to what my friend's uncle did for me. The extra vibration is still there and im beginning to think its just really sh*tty gaskets from the header. Last but not least, the knocking noise is still there and they gets annoying too.

I know this sounds a lil hard to follow so I made a couple videos to follow along and hear what im talking about:

Power Steering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPUBryg36ME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAU8tTZnVg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Y7f7TS5UE

Knocking Noise: (Read the Description)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgWfrg1mt0


sorry for the long story, and if this isnt the right place to put this mods please move. if you can help me or have any suggestions, please do so.

 

[JMillerUA6]

FINALLY someone posts a problem and gives us something to work with.

First off, was the car making any of these noises before you took it into the shop??

If not, they could have over tightened the tensioner on the PS belt. Try loosening it up a bit. Air in the PS lines would not cause it to make that sound.

As for the knocking, it sounds horrible. Does it only make the sound when you bump the gas?? If so it could be that they didn't tighten something on the exhaust all the way, and when you bump the gas the torquing of the engine could cause whatever is loose to knock together, this could also be causing that vibration you're feeling.

I'd check all the bolts on the header and cat and make sure everything is tight.

 

[GreddyAccord99]

FINALLY someone posts a problem and gives us something to work with.

First off, was the car making any of these noises before you took it into the shop??

If not, they could have over tightened the tensioner on the PS belt. Try loosening it up a bit. Air in the PS lines would not cause it to make that sound.

As for the knocking, it sounds horrible. Does it only make the sound when you bump the gas?? If so it could be that they didn't tighten something on the exhaust all the way, and when you bump the gas the torquing of the engine could cause whatever is loose to knock together, this could also be causing that vibration you're feeling.

I'd check all the bolts on the header and cat and make sure everything is tight.

Lol. I jus tried to give as much detail as possible hoping i would recieve help, and i did.

No it was not making the noises going into the shop. It was perfect going in, I jus felt like I should do some matinence to bump the gas mileage and a fix a small oil leak, but then everything like this had to happen.

I was thinking the sound might be because of the belt, thats a good idea, thank you.

As for the knocking, I know it sucks and it pisses me off knowing that somethin is wrong but dont know what it is. Basically its whenever I stop like a slight roll and then accelerate and also if I come to a complete stop then accelerate. your theory sounds like it might be that. i was thinkin somethin might but loose, but again, i had no idea.

I appreciate your help!

 

[Dinzdale40]

damn i would not take it there again...sounds like they don't know what they are doing

 

[Russianred]

FINALLY someone posts a problem and gives us something to work with.

Yeah no sh1t right...



Greddy, demand your money back. No way all that stuff could have fked up just coincidentally at the time you brought your car in to the shop... they sabotaged your ride it sounds like, to create more problems for you to fix.

 

[poff1986]

The power steering whine is the pump, if it sits for a little bit the air will work its way out by itself, i think they probally put the wrong fluid in, hondas powersteering fluid is the only fluid that should be used in them, any other fluid will cause a whine and may do damage to the pump, as for the knocking noise it sounded like it happend when you would jump the throttle and back out really quick, which leads me to either a motor mount that is bad, a transmission problem, easy check for the transmission is to check the axles, lift the front of the car off the ground, crawl under the car and take the axle on one sides inner joint and move it up and down, if the other side moves as you move the one side, you have a transmission problem, i doubt that that is the problem because watching it drive it seemed to shift fine, also check the calipers they may have left something loose, while its jacked up and your underneath check the calipers bolting points onto the knuckle, also give your suspension a thourough check, see if anythings broken and push and pull the tops of your tires to check your upper ball joints to see if they are loose. also you said you had oil leaks fixed, was any of these on the transmission, if the axles are loose in the transmisison the axle seals will leak, another hint that your trans is going to act up if it hasnt already, hondas warranty on auto transmissions for these years goes to 109k, Good luck!

 

[GreddyAccord99]

Well there's no way I would be getting the money back now, but I will be fighting for them to fix it til its perfect.

I'll be sure to ask about the fluid they used for power steering.

The knocking noise probably could be a motor mount, I highly doubt its my transmission because its been fine for a long time now, no problems and it has been rebuilt. I'll be sure to check the axles though. I highly doubt its something loose in the brakes because I watched them do the brakes when I told them I heard that noise. If I'm replacing my suspension soon, do I still need to check anything>? Also, I'll prolly sound like a newb but what are the upper ball joints? And the oil leaks, I'm not sure if any were on the transmission or not because I was mainly paying attention to the oil pan and seals but I'll be sure to tell them to check that too.

Thanks for the replies. Any other ideas please keep them coming, I'm making a list.

 

[ryan s]

the steering and brake issues are simple from what it sounds...they didnt bleed the systems. i wouldn't have driven off without them bleeding the brakes, but the PS is simple to fix.

jack up the front of the car (using proper jacking techniques like jack stands, level ground, etc). make sure the wheels can turn all the way both directions. remove the PS reservoir cap, get in, start the car, then crank the steering wheel from lock to lock about 40 times.

stop halfway through for a break and shut the car off. let it sit for about 5 minutes then finish it up.

hope it helps...

 

[GreddyAccord99]

So you're telling me this process is another way of bleeding the power steering?

Either way, its great and useful info, so thank you!

 

[ryan s]

does the pump chatter and make all kinds of noises when turning? then it wasnt bled when the fluid was flushed...and bleeding will fix it.

i dont know of any other way to bleed it