[Sal]

Could be the alternator going out again. Remans from the big box chains are often no good so you want to get a quality unit.

Head to an auto parts store and have the entire starting system checked for free. Make sure the battery connections are clean & tight as well.

[Sal]

Hi Eric,

My mechanic changed the timing belt on my 02 Accord 4-cylinder with 200k miles. He used an Asian kit which is known to be of high quality. Since then, I hear a a whining noise coming from behind the timing cover when the car is warmed up. I took of the serpentine belts to narrow down the issue and the noise is still there. Sounds almost like a swarm of bees. I read in Honda’s, this a classic sign the timing belt or balancer belt is on too tight. I went back to the mechanic and he said it’s impossible to overtighten the belts since the tensioners are automatic. He said the new belts will break in soon enough and the noise will go away. This doesn’t sound right because timing belts don’t need a break in period like that. What’re your thoughts? Car drives fine otherwise but I don’t want to damage anything.

You da man. Thanks for all you do!

[Sal]

Hey Eric, I had my mechanic install an Aisin timing belt kit on my 2000 Accord 4-cyl with 200K miles. Since then, I hear a noise, almost like a swarm of bees buzzing in a can when the car’s idling. It’s coming from behind the timing cover. Mechanic said new belts do that, just give them time to break in. I read about the balancer belt making a similar noise when overtightened. What do you think is going on? I don’t want to damage my engine.

Thanks a lot. You da man!

[Sal]

I agree with the others. If you’re up there in miles, the rad could be clogged. Make sure to only use a genuine Honda rad cap.

[Sal]

Cleaned out the TB this morning. Wasn’t too dirty as I had cleaned it previously 20,000 miles ago. No change in idle quality and the faint groan is still there. I added a bottle of Techron Concentrate Plus to see if it’s a fuel-related issue. The idle doesn’t surge and when I rev the engine to 5K RPM, it returns right back to around 700 RPM without dipping too low first. This leads me to believe the IACV is fine. I sprayed around for possible vacuum leaks and arcing of the plug wires to no avail. Car starts up fine in the morning without hesitation with a cold idle of about 1250 RPM initially. The external seal of the distributor appears to be leaking oil (common on these cars). There’s dried oil on some connector right below the distributor. Not sure if that’s the coolant temp sensor or what.

Wish the CEL was on so I could at least pull a code for something 🙁

[Sal]

I also have a gen 5.5 Maxima. How many miles do you have? Besides the random misfire, what other code(s) are you exactly getting? Depending on the miles, take a look at your MAF, plugs and coils. This is a thread from the Maxima forums about a P0300 error.

[Author]

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