I have a 2000 civic ex with a 1.6 SOHC VTEC engine.

Earlier this morning I took my car out to run an errand. I came home, parked it, chilled with my friend then we got hungry. Started up the car and a loud grinding noise. Its consistent with the engine and just sounds like no oil in the engine. I had oil in it, and just topped it off to just below the threshold mark. Idk what to do any suggestions where to start?

When the bearing goes in the distributor, it sounds like a "thrashing machine." Start the engine and use a mechanic's stethoscope or a large handle screwdriver and see if that's where the noise is coming from. This makes sense, since you just replaced the distributor with one from salvage. It should be easy to tell if the noise is coming from the distributor.

Actually, I took it back and bought a brand new distributor. This is coming from over where the timing belt and all the pulley's are at.

Maybe the bearing in the ac? It used to make a loud noise when I used it so I stopped using it. Then I heard this noise rattle every now and then, now its constant at idle even with ac off. HORRIBLE with ac on

You nailed it, in all likelihood.

Why did you return the distributor from salvage?

Because it was a different size harness, the plug didn't match up but the wires and bolt patters did. I really didn't feel like messing with it and I wanted the warranty.

So, could I disconnect the AC belt and make this horrible noise stop? :(

Likely.

Is your new distributor housing a genuine Honda product? Did you install your new ICM?

Mmk, let me go do that real quick because I don't need the ac anyway.

It might not work, if that belt also goes to the power steering pump. On my Civic, it would work.

Ok well just to make doubly sure I went out and let the engine sit idling and I put a long screwdriver to my ear and listened to the distributor, the engine itself, the ac compressor, the water pump, the alternator, and... not sure what else to check.

Also, noob question, in my civic the water pump sits below the ac compressor, correct? Never had to work on either so Im not sure which is which. And I'm having trouble finding an engine diagram online.

The water pump is internal and driven by the timing belt.

Is your new distributor housing a genuine Honda product? Did you install your new ICM?

Lol so I guess what I am trying to say is where is the ac compressor?

Its oem from autozone, brand new coil and icm preinstalled I just hooked up the distributor.When I used a screwdriver up to my ear, there were no irregular or grinding noise anywhere in the engine besides just one point, what I think is the ac compressor. But I don't know if what I'm looking at is the ac compressor.

AC compressor will have two aluminum tubes going to it. I think you will be safe if you remove the V-belt going to it.

Okay, cool. I drove it for a minute just to make sure and that sound is gone! How can that loud sound just disappear, beats me.

Did you disconnect the V-belt going to the AC?

Not yet, about to, had to help a friend with some things. Believe it or not his coil went out in his 98 civic, who knew how to test and replace? His buddy. Haha your info channeled through me. Ill brb and let you know if the sound is gone

Did you return your new ICM?

Yep, I returned it and got the distributor whole. Ended up paying 20 more for the whole new housing with icm and new coil

Sounds like a great deal.

Sounds don't just disappear like that--it'll likely return. You will, likely, have to replace the AC Pulley Bearing or remove the V-belt.

Shoot! I Typed up a whole response on my phone and I think I forgot to hit send.

So today I was going to the bank and I decided to open the hood and try to catch the noise so I could see what happened. I waited a minute, revved it slowly, then let it idle. Then it happened! The large pulley on the bottom end of the engine is wobbling, it is the pulley with another smaller pulley on it as well. It only does this while idling, and higher RPMs seem to straighten it out. Also, I never hear it while driving, or even while at a stoplight. Just on cold starts or when the car is cold period. Bummer! I will take a video for visual clarification.

Just to check before I mess with what I think is my crankshaft pulley messing up, how do I loosen enough to get the ac compressor, or V belt, off.

If you suspect a crankshaft pulley problem, you should seek professional help.

Haha, I suspected so I went and figured out. SO! Took the tire off, jacked it up, got under there, started the car, and watched. Yes, it appeared to be wobbling. A closer look: the paint or coating on the pulley wheel's exterior had weathered and started chipping/fraying off; giving the pulley a torn up look like it was bitten around the edges by a small dog or something. That's what was giving it the appearance of excess motion. So as the car was running, lightly used a compass and made sure the pulley was on center and not lopsided or even moving. It was perfectly stationery and I was pleased. Just to make sure, took the crankshaft pulley bolt off, put it back on and used a torque wrench and got it to 130 lbs. or (ft-lbs.). Anyway, its perfectly intact. So, back to the ac compressor. When I put a long screwdriver up to it again, and the other end to my ear, from underneath the car and on the bottom of the compressor, more towards the pulley, I could hear a grinding that was almost positively coming from the compressor. More so than the other components... So, really, to my knowledge (although not too vast) I think it's the AC compressor.

Also, I have power windows and they have both been broken for some time. Its been winter here in Dallas so I just left them up but tonight I felt like cruisin and I wanted to hear the sound more clearly. Cool enough, putting my windows down let me smell the burning compressor as I was driving, lol. Even though its off its producing a pungent smell, similar to an alternator dying. So I checked my alternator, no smell, voltage checks out. So... that's what I got :P

Why didn't you disconnect the V-belt from the AC, since that seems like it would solve the immediate problem?

Well I should have, and I thought I asked how and got no response... I think it was in the message that didn't send. Anyway, that seems the course of action now. Is there a tensioner? I didn't see anything painfully obvious to relieve some tension. Lol, I'm very new to foreign cars because my last and only previous car was a 1989 Chevy Beretta 2.8 v6.. spacious engine bay, easy to work with. :)

There should be an adjusting bolt and adjusting pulley, located between the compressor and the crankshaft pulley. Access may be through the driver's side wheel well, where you need to remove the wheel and plastic fender liner.

Depending on your car, you may also be able to remove the two left engine mount bolts, rotating it up and out of the way, and loosen the adjusting bolt. This will likely work.

Yeah I looked at what you said. I took off my front bumper and the plastic liner up in the wheel well. So I'm going to do this tomorrow at work on my break. Since I took the bumper off I can get to this pullet through the wheel well or from the bottom at work. Got to get it done, this is driving me nuts! And I hope my compressor isn't to far gone... was hoping to rebuild it

Don't remove any lines from the compressor. Be careful working around the AC--wear goggles. In fact, always wear safety glasses or goggles when working on a car.

Of course, not doing anything without some professional guidance. Just need to take the belt off really.

Yes. You could even just cut the belt off, if it is worn and should be replaced when you replace the AC Pulley Bearing.