I plan to take my 94 Honda Civic to the dealer eventually, when I get around to it, but there is no hurry. The car runs fine. However, when I first start up the car and press the gas pedal still in first gear, it will make a strange noise, something between a leak in the exhaust system and a racing of the engine. It will sometimes repeat this noise during my driving, but only while I’m in first gear and got my foot on the gas pedal.
I had a new exhaust system put in recently, so I don’t think that’s the problem, and the noise is from the engine area. I still have my original clutch, and I suspect it may be related to that. Does anyone have any ideas?
Clutch slipping is most noticable in higher gears usually (at least in my limited experience) so it might not be that. But a 10 yr-old-car with original clutch is indeed suspect. Have it checked out, the repair should be in the $300-400 range.
Ah, but you could still have a loose exhaust or exhaust bracket that is rattling. This happened to my car after the transmission was replaced, and the exhaust not installed quite as tight as before. Plus, a loose exhaust rattle can sound like it’s from a different area than the immediate repair. Ask yourself - did the noise start immediately after or soon after the exhaust work was done?
Well, actually it has been a couple of years, so I doubt it was a sloppy exhaust repair. I had the exhaust and muffler replaced, but is it possible that there is a leak further up the system, towards the engine. However, with 95,000 miles and 10 years, I guess it’s time for a new clutch.