# Problem with 2008 Honda Civic EX Coupe 2D **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 28, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503 "2014-12-28T20:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Andrew207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@Andrew207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Andrew207)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/1 "2014-12-28T20:46:11Z")
Hi, A problem has started with my son’s 2008 Honda Civic EX Coupe 2D, and with which I would appreciate some advice. When completely cold, the engine on starting sounds very loud, a bit like an aero engine. On warming up however, the engine noise returns to normal. This problem apparently started quite suddenly, a few months ago. It is difficult to express a sound in words, but if the normal engine makes a Vrooom sound, then the sound when cold is more like an Aaaaaarrrr. I lifted the bonnet, and looking at the engine compartment, the sound seems to eminate from the left hand side of the engine block. I did notice that when accelerating from a Stop sign just after starting the car, that I could here the engine revving up over the Aaaaarrrrr noise, and it seemed to be normal. Sorry, it that sounds confusing. For reference, I am a qualified Engineer, but have little experience in car repairs. My practical knowledge goes as far as changing the battery, spark plugs or oil/air filters. We will take the vehicle to a shop in a few days to see whether they can diagnose the problem. If not then we will take the vehicle to the Honda dealer. Before doing so however, I wanted to get some experience from the community, in order to not go in unprepared. Any advice would be much appreciated. A Happy New Year 2015 to all. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/2 "2014-12-28T20:51:51Z")
Are you an EE? Most cannot tie their shoes without illustrated instructions. A high pitched whine could easily be a belt squeal. Maybe a bad tensioner pulley. Bad alternator bearing and so on ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/3 "2014-12-29T00:44:06Z")
Is this the noise? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2014, 6:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/4 "2014-12-29T06:16:22Z")
I’m assuming there are no dash lights, no check engine light, etc. If so, first order of business, be sure to double check the engine oil level. A Vrrooom sound can be caused by an exhaust system leak. The leak could be at the transition from the exhaust manifold to the exhaust pipe for example. Or a leaky gasket between the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head. Sometimes as the parts warm up they expand and seal the leak, in between the noise can transition to a ffft ffft fffft sound, until it goes away entirely as the engine warms. There are at least a dozen other causes though. I guess if my Corolla had this problem, after checking all the fluid levels were ok, I find a length of garden hose, use it as a stethoscope, and see if I could isolate more exactly where the noise is coming from. ---
**Author:** ![Andrew207](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@Andrew207](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Andrew207)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/5 "2014-12-30T20:32:48Z")
Thank you to Cavell, Insightful and GeorgeSanJose for their responses. Funny comment about EEs. No, I am an Automation Engineer working on Oil and Gas development projects. The problem turned out to be with the clutch assembly. I foolishly forgot to mention that the vehicle has a manual gearbox in my original posting. Anyhow, the car is now in a transmission shop. Thank you all once again. ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-with-2008-honda-civic-ex-coupe-2d/88503/6 "2014-12-30T23:04:21Z")
Thanks for the update.