Honda Odyssey is an excellent minivan with a powerful engine. It promises to offer a smooth and reliable ride every time. Nonetheless, its potent engine might encounter a few inevitable problems over time. One of these problems includes a ticking noise, mainly when the engine is cold.
It can be worrisome when you hear Honda Odyssey ticking noise when cold. Usually, the sound will last for a couple of minutes after starting the minivan. After that, it goes away and will return when the engine becomes cold again.
Multiple reasons contribute to the ticking noise of the Honda Odyssey when cold. It includes low lubrication and oil in the engine, wearing out tensioner belts, and inappropriate intake valves. You need to inspect the reason first and fix it afterward.
This article will take you through the possible reasons and solutions for this ticking noise issue from the Honda Odyssey. Stay tuned!
Why Is Honda Odyssey Ticking Noise When Cold?
Like every automobile engine, Honda Odyssey features a powerful engine with many moveable parts. As a result, it starts showing a few problems over time.
A common Honda Odyssey engine problem is a ticking or rattling noise, especially when the engine is cold. When you start the engine, it takes a few minutes to warm up and will create a ticking noise.
The ticking noise mostly lasts for a couple of minutes. It disappears when the engine warms up, so most people won’t even remember it.
Nonetheless, the ticking and rattling noise may return whenever you shut off the Odyssey engine for a long time. Although it won’t hurt the minivan’s safety features, it is a sign that something isn’t okay with the machine.
So, let’s look at the possible reasons and solutions for the engine ticking noise.
Problematic Tensioner Belt
A tensioner maintains the correct pressure for all the connected belts with the engine. Some parts may suffer from wear and tear as the tensioner belt ages. As it happens, the tensioner belt might not work correctly.
So, the tensioner belt will lose power and fail to operate at the correct pressure level. Thus, you will find that all the engine parts under the hood will start malfunctioning.
It happens particularly more with the parts that connect with the tensioner belt. As the belt fails to generate the required pressure, the engine will not perform as expected.
And at this moment, you will experience the following two things:
- A ticking noise when the engine is cold and you start it. The problem becomes acute in winter as the engine needs extra energy to kick off and get go. The ticking noise usually disappears within a few minutes since the tensioner belt gets warm with the engine parts.
- At times, you may even hear a high-pitched squeal noise. The squealing noise will only be severe if the belt tensioner is worn out massively. If you don’t fix it timely, the belt will wear out more. At this moment, the squealing sound can increase so much that it could feel deafening to your ears.
The tensioner belt is the primary reason for the Honda Odyssey engine ticking noise. So, replacing it will be a good idea to stop the noise because fixing the worn-out parts can be trickier. But how do you troubleshoot it?
Let’s check what our experts have to say about it.
- Solution- Replacing Tensioner Belt
The easiest way to stop the ticking noise under the hood is to check and replace the damaged tensioner belt.
- First, keep your minivan in a standby position on a flat and elevated surface. You should ensure the minivan doesn’t move as you check it.
- Once you have stabilized the minivan, open the hood and fix it with the stands. Then, locate the tensioner belt and start inspecting it. It would help you use a flashlight to check the parts of the strap carefully. It will help you find the damaged sections of the belt properly.
- Also, check if the tensioner belt needs to be drier. Sometimes, applying lubricant to the belt will solve the ticking noise problem. It happens because the oil helps the belt work smoothly without any noise.
- You only have one choice when you see the belt is highly damaged. You need to call a professional and replace the entire belt. The best way is to visit a Honda service centre and replace the OEM tensioner belt with an aftermarket one.
Thankfully, replacing the tensioner belt is an inexpensive task. You can get a new aftermarket tensioner belt for $150. The mechanic will cost around $75 to $100 to replace the belt. So, your entire tensioner belt replacement cost will be $225 to $250.
When you constantly hear the ticking noise every time the engine is cold, fixing it ASAP is a must. Or else it might lead to more significant problems.
Damaged Intake Valves
The intake valves are responsible for intaking in air and supplying the engine with enough ventilation. Thus, it helps in cooling down different parts of the machine. However, when the intake valves start wearing out, the engine won’t receive enough air.
As the problems increase, you will experience a ticking noise. It happens because the engine parts get blocked without proper ventilation. The cold air will then be blocked inside. So, the ticking noise keeps coming out frequently when the engine is cold.
It is a severe problem as the intake valves will control the steadiness of the engine parts. Also, you may hear a constant squealing noise. The squealing noise suggests that the stabilizer of the intake valves is damaged.
- Solution- Replacing the Intake Valves
There’re multiple intake valves under the hood of your Honda Odyssey. Thankfully, you don’t need to replace all these engine intake valves. Once you have opened the hood and checked the valves, you should find which one is wearing out and needs replacement.
The air intake valves need quick fixation as your Honda Odyssey engine keeps staling and producing a ticking noise. The machine will idle poorly if you don’t change the intake valves. Therefore, you should compromise your riding safety.
For better details on the intake valves and their replacement, you can see the following YouTube video:
The excellent part is replacing the intake valves is an inexpensive process. You can fix it from $50 to $75. So, you must do it on time.
Low-level of Lubrication
The engine oil and lubrication will protect the moving engine parts from heat, friction, and damage. The conflict will increase considerably as the engine loses oil and lubricator. You will hear the ticking noise when the engine’s metal parts vibrate and the friction increases.
Also, the engine oil will turn black and develop a burning odour. All these are clear indications that you must replace it with a new one. If you change the oil timely, it will be manageable.
The low oil level reduces the efficiency and performance of the engine. Hence, either way, low-oil levels in the engine tank are detrimental.
- Solution- Refill the Engine Oil
It is an easy troubleshoot. You must purchase the right lubricator and engine oil for the Honda Odyssey and replace the old one. As you use the engine oil, make sure you always use its recommended color.
According to Rob Shapiro in Jerry, Honda recommended using the Mobil 1 – Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil. As you replace the older engine fluid, you must flush the radiator. It saves the radiator from getting clogged and helps it deliver optimal performance.
Loud Noise from the Lifter
All modern-day automobiles, including Honda Odyssey, have lifters. It controls the lash system, which is in between the valve top and the rocker’s arm.
The lifter will adjust the rocker arm and valve to meet the changing temperatures of the engine.
The hydraulic lifter will control the lash through oil pressure utilization. The idea is to keep the lash at a “0” level by adjusting the pressure.
Sadly, the hydraulic lifters can go out of adjustment. Then, you will see a ticking or tapping noise. If you can’t readjust the lifters timely, the noise keeps increasing.
- Solution- Fixing the Hydraulic Lifter
The hydraulic lifter connecting with the Honda Odyssey needs proper lubrication. So, when you see the lifter producing a loud ticking or squealing noise, check the engine oil immediately. If it is low, refill the tank. It should solve the problem quickly.
Blocked Engine Fan
The fan usually removes the hot air inside the engine to keep it cool. However, the fan may get blocked due to residual development. Also, exterior items may stop the engine fan. When the engine fan gets blocked, it will produce a ticking noise.
Nonetheless, this differs from the ticking noise when the engine is cold. This noise will constantly linger until you fix the fan.
- Solution- Remove the Blocking Item
- First, check your engine fan and see what is blocking it from free movement.
- If there’s any visible item blocking the fan, use a holder to get hold of the item and remove it.
- Sometimes, the fan may be too dirty. Thus, use a screwdriver to open and clean it using water and soap.
These should help you quickly fix the blocking fan. If its blades are bent or damaged, replace the entire fan. It will cost you $20, which is cheap.
Conclusion
Honda Odyssey ticking noise when cold can be trickier than you imagine. At times, you may ignore it. Sadly, it will only increase different problems in the engine. Therefore, you must try finding the real reasons for the ticking noise to fix it ASAP.
As you follow our suggestions, you should troubleshoot the problem correctly. Nonetheless, there can be other issues with various sounds. So, ensure you attentively determine the noise type and follow the suggestions accordingly.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.