2013 Honda Civic Rattling Noise! Replacing Serpentine Belt and Tensioner 

I have exactly same issue with my 2013 Honda civic, I took my car to maintenance garage, their technician said need replace engine oil pump, timing chain…… I replaced belt tensioner and belt today, now the noise is gone. Thanks for the video, it saved me 1000＄. also save my civic.

In some cases, it could be the belt tensioner. In other cases, it is the timing chain. When you first start the car, specially in cold weather these cars have a tendency to rattle but the noise should go away once warmed up. Also, a pulley can cause that noise. Do this: remove drive belt, then start engine. If rattle noise is gone, the problem is the tensioner or idler pulley.

I own an acura ilx which has this same engine layout and I took it to so many mechanics around. Every single one of them said it's a timing chain issue, even after me repeatedly telling them that the tensioner is literally wobbling. I changed it myself a few hours ago, and it's completely fixed now.

Simple and to the point instruction. I’m going to be doing this soon, that sound is just horrendous when driving.

Thank you so much for the video. My car sounds exactly the same! Sounds like a toad croaking in drive, in the morning after it hasnt been driven overnight, once up to operating temp or a couple minutes it goes away, the noise also goes away after 1000 rpms. Im going to change the belt only and see if that fixes the problem. I will update everyone. Thanks again man. I thought time chain or time chain tensioner.

My car is the same exact color . I had the same exact problem . I also changed my idler pulley . Thanks for the help !

Thank you. Guys. I have a same problem with my civic 2013.yes the mechanic said need to replace the Engine.

Done today thanks to guides like yours sir!

Good video. Now I feel like doing the same thing to mine. I been having the same noise forever. And I always thought it was a loose metal cover or something.. i will try this and see what happens

I have the same issue. I removed belt and reinstalled and this worked..Heck YEA...Rajah Dat Capt

If you are having this problem just get a serpentine belt and install it to see if it fixes the problem. Worked for me! Old belt gets worn out and stretched

Hey thanks for that noise clip cuz that's the sound my 14 is making LOL guess it's a trip to the parts store for me.

Thank you for helping me

Great video, thanks..

Would’ve been nice to see how you ended up getting the new tensioner in. That’s the part I’ve been stuck on trying to get it past both the water pump and crank pulley. I just can’t get it to line up

Oh my god! Same noise on 15 civic, same circumstances - on drive when the engine is loaded... especially bad in cold weather. Now I'm hearing it in neutral too. 110k

I just did my oil change and I noticed it was making a rattling noise but when I pressed the gas it goes away never mind that sound just now I'm going to probably do what you did doesn't hurt

My neighbor daughter had this problem, them mechanics keep insisting it was an engine problem one of them offered $1,000 to buy the car for spare parts 😂 I watch this and told her I can help fix it which I did. she doesn’t have to take the bus to school she loves her car

Great video. My 2015 civic does the same thing. When i pull out in the morning , it sounds like hockey cards in bike spokes. Goes away also.

Another trick honda owners arw doing is turning their keys to the acc mode for 10 seconds, and then repeat it 4 times, then start. It seems to work for a lot of people. The theory is the fuel pump primes the engine.

You made this look easy. I hollow out the hex bolt on my 06 Civic and had a shop do it. Water pump and belt tensioner. The welded part on the shaft of water pump broke causing belt to shear into tensioner. Now have rerouted belt and new parts including new pivot bolt. How many miles on your Civic before this? Had about 96k on mine at the time.

Are all the bolts on the pulley all loosened to the left?

Thanks bro

Do I get more space if I remove motor mount to install new tensioner? I need to change both motor mount and tensioner.

😁😁 God bless you.

How long until the rattle came back?

I have the exact same problem and the mechanic told me its transmission I was confused how can the transmission that is perfect and does not jerks is related to this and I checked the belt myself after this video and it had cracks now gonna do this my self.

My Honda civic 2013 has completed 200K and It started giving scratching noise when I start the car in the morning. When consulted with a mechanic he suggested that every car need to replace belt after certain thousands of mileage. So it’s high time to replace it. But when I checked the belt from the top I don’t see any apparent wear tear in it. However it seemed a lost some tension. Now I want to make sure that I tight the belt in a proper way without damaging anything else. Any suggestion is appreciated. Thx

Quick question, where did you buy your part?

hows it holding up to this day do you still have the car?

Hello, Son has the exact car with same problem. I'm pretty good with the tools but I'm very concerned with that pivot 8mm. It would terrible to get that far into the job and fail to break it loose or worse yet damage the Allen head. Many other videos talk about the difficulty of removing it , but all seem to get it out. How was it coming out for you? Did you spray it first? Thank you .

i have the same problem in my 2013 honda civic Ex , replace serpentine belt and its gone.. i have 235000 km on odometer and its going like champ.

My car does the same thing when it’s cold but also when I turn the ac. When it’s on gear it shakes. Was told I needed a new ac compresor

Couldn't u come in from the bottom?

See for mine it’s a clanking noir coming from the front left

Just had the belt replaced on my HR-V (same engine) and the noise is now gone. I had been dealing with the noise for literal years and thought it was a loose heat shield.

You know in my life time. I have removed and installed a 350 motor, replaces heads, transmissions, rear ends, suspensions, water pumps, alternators, oil pumps, starters, radiators on my 75 Malibu Classic. On my Impala I have swapped and inline 6 again alternators and the like. I have had 3 other Honda vehicles doing much of my own repairs. The Civic I own now. I have not done many repairs as it has not needed it. Do my own breaks and tune ups and such. THIS is the one job that scares me and I don't know why. I have the part and I even bought the belt tensioner tech tool, just to have. UGH!

This problem is common, my 06 civic has this also. The 06's had a recall because the bolt holding the tensioner would snap off leaving you stranded. So Honda issued a new bolt and rerouted the belt for less stress. Its no fun drilling out the sheared bolt.😰

Is the noise louder when ac is on?

Hey! I have a 2013 civic too. Recently it's started to make a very similar noise to this. For me it's noticable also while driving, mainly around 15-20 mph. Did that happen to you? 2 mechanics say they have no idea what it is!

Hey mines have a high pitched rattle for 3 seconds soon I crank it then it stopped but when I drive the car and park and the second time I don’t here it

I have the same problem with my 2015 Civic.

Mine rattles when the ac compressor is on. When it cuts off the noise is gone. Compressor is good. I think it has to do with the vibration/rpm of the engine at idle.

i have an 2007 civic Ex and i replaced the tensioner but the bolt doesn’t either go in all the way i’ve used every cheater bar n it won’t sit flat so the tensioner is rubbing my pulley help will result in cash app payment i need this car up yesterday

I have a droning noise coming from the engine.and I can hear it out the exhaust, does anybody have an idea what it could be?

Good video. But, next time, have some else do the camera work with better lighting, inside a garage also to minimize background noise.. Just my thoughts.

More honda videos. Thanks

Jeez - you've got thru all that trouble - why not replace the water pump at the same time?

8:29 Made in Slovakia both of them what the hell ???

When it made the rattle noise did the car also shake ? Could you feel the shake from the interior ?

Hmm. That’s funny, mine makes the noise when it’s in park. Sound goes away in drive. Weird…

I'm doing the same job right now. Bolt's completely stuck, and now the Allen head is completely stripped out. I'm so fucked. It should be an easy job, like how it busted loose for you here. God dammit.

Highly detail video. Job wasn't easy because that 8mm bolt was in there good. I highly recommend putting value grind compound on the allen head. this will help snug in there and get a good grip. You will hear the crunch thats the compound fill in the lacking of play. Also helps reduce chances of rounding hex bolt off. May I add spray with penetration fluid behind the tensioner. Lastly, for love of God you dont need to torque it down to spec. Hand tight snug will do. Give the next person a chance so they dont have to go through of what you just did. Dont be a dick.

That's a 2015

Wow Honda crap design!