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JazzyDavies · Mar 1, 2013, 11:47 AM

My Honda Accord has had a "hot burny" smell for a couple of weeks coming from the front. I checked all fluid levels and they're all topped up. Yesterday I noticed a small k ocking/vibration coming in at 120km/h but stopped as soon as I lifted my foot from the accelerator pedal. It seems to be getting worse in frequency, and today started at 80km/h, noticeable after I have been driving for at least 10 minutes. It still ceases when I lift my foot off the gas, but reappears almost instantly.
What could be causing this?

odinn7 · Mar 1, 2013, 11:51 AM

Have you checked the CV boots and joints?

TxGreaseMonkey · Mar 1, 2013, 12:39 PM

Engine Knock

Soon after I bought my new 1993 Civic DX, I started experiencing serious engine knock. In fact, I was totally disgusted with Honda for designing an engine that was supposed to run on 87 octane fuel and yet exhibited such bad knock. For some time, I thought I would destroy the engine--I almost didn't care. How this engine (D15B7) passed Japanese quality control and system testing escaped me. I tried retarding the timing, which helped somewhat. I knew this was not a very good solution, however. I also tried filling the gas tank halfway with higher octane gas, every other tankful. The situation continued to get worse, particularly in Texas summers with the air conditioner on.

I knew the problem was heat-related, since I didn't have the problem during winter. The situation improved somewhat, when I installed colder running NGK ZFR6F-11 spark plugs, rather than the standard NGK ZFR5F-11 plugs. Part of the problem was that the cooling system only holds .92 gallons of coolant, providing minimal heat sink. Just before installing a 180 degree thermostat, I decided to go to an even colder running plug, which Honda did not even recommend. Engine knock finally disappeared, when I installed NGK ZFR7F-11 plugs (Honda Part No. 98079-5714G). Performance improved and gas mileage was unaffected by the change. Therefore, try this simple solution to engine knock, before taking more drastic measures.

In summary, try this:

. Ensure you are only using NGK spark plugs in your Accord. Try going to a colder running NGK plug for your car.

. When the gas tank gets down to the half-way mark, fill it with higher octane gas. Maintain a mixture of 50% regular and 50% higher octane.

. Check the timing on the car with a timing light--it may be too far advanced. Retard it slightly, by loosening the 3 distributor mounting bolts and rotating the distributor slightly clockwise.

. Ensure there is not an engine cooling problem.

JazzyDavies · Mar 1, 2013, 01:00 PM

odinn7, not yet. I was hoping it was something simple, but have a niggle that it's not... She'll be booked in as I don't have access to a pit, but I'll try swapping out the plugs first and cheking the timing as TxGreaseMonkey suggests.

Thanks both for your input.

odinn7 · Mar 1, 2013, 01:13 PM

I wasn't sure if the noise you were hearing was a knock from the CV or not... the reason I suggested that was because you talk about a burning smell. If a CV boot ripped, it could have splattered some grease on the exhaust and that would be the smell. Of course, it could also knock if the joint is bad. However, TXGreaseMonkey brought up a valid answer as it could be an ignition knock in the engine that you're hearing.

Good luck with it.