Loose rocker shaft bridge may be cause of Honda's knocking, ticking

Honda reports that some 2008-11 Accords, 2008-12 Odyssey minivans, 2009-12 Pilot SUVs and 2010-11 Accord Crosstour models with V6 engines may produce a knocking or ticking sound at idle.

The car maker says the noise is most obvious when the engine is at operating temperature, and is most likely caused by excess clearance between the rocker shaft bridge and the rocker shaft. Loosening, then retightening the rocker shaft bridge bolts should eliminate the problem.

Start the job by removing both valve covers. Beginning at the front cylinder head, loosen all the bridge bolts. Now slowly tighten the bolts to 21 ft.-lbs. in the sequence shown in the top illustration. This will crush the bridge around the rocker shaft. Now loosen all the bridge bolts, then retighten them in the same sequence, only this time to 18 ft.-lbs.

Now turn your attention to the rear cylinder head. Once again, loosen all the bridge bolts. Using the bottom illustration, torque each bridge bolt to 21 ft.-lbs in the sequence shown. Once the bridge crushes to the shaft, loosen all the bolts, then retighten them to 18 ft.-lbs in the same sequence. To complete the fix, adjust all the valve clearances and reinstall the valve covers.

"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].