My wife's 2008 fit sport has recently started the dreaded 1st cold start of day 1-2 second grinding sound. In freezing temps after sitting overnight the car will start up make grinding sound for few seconds then runs great. If you restart the car it will not do the noise again. The car now has 180,000 miles and other than this has been running well. Valve clearance was adjusted about year ago due to stalling and misfiring. Also installed Hitachi coils and Denso plugs at that time. Everything I have seen says vtc actuator or starter but most info is on k series and this is an L series. I run synthetic blend 5w20 valvoline and Napa gold/wix filter. Does the l series cam gear have a lock pin that can fail like other models. I check oil regularly and change about every 3500 to 4000 miles. Just trying to figure this out and keep her fit on the road for a long time yet. Thanks for all advice.

 

It's most likely the bendix gear on the starter. Our L15a1's don't have VTC and, thankfully, aren't known for other start up noises either.

If it was a Ford, I'd say it's the timing chain tensioner. They can make the sound you are describing, but I don't recall anyone with a Fit having issues with the tensioner.

 

ID always heard fits did not have true vtec engines. I believe their I vtec what is the difference between that and actual vtec.Sorry still learning about this L series engine. So the cam gear on this year is just a regular sprocket versus an actuator with lock pin like ive read other years and models had? If that is the case I'm fairly confident it is the starter acting up then and relieved its not something involving the engine timing

 

Yes, that is correct. Start with the starter as a culprit.

 

Based on my extensive research, replacement solenoid and grease to the starter planetary is getting rid of the noise. I've "raped" the starter by intentionally holding key in start position after engine starts for 2 seconds, there were no additional noise.
V-tec is locking two intake rocker arms together after 2500 to 3000 rpms increasing cross flow by adding an extra intake valve

 

doctor J has done the most extensive research on this topic.

As one data point, I can say mine has been doing this in cold weather for years and hasn't gotten worse or caused any issues other than being annoying for 1-2 seconds on that first start of the day. I'm content to let it be.

 

I hate to be the dumba$$ who takes a thread off-topic, but could someone link me to info on this alleged lock pin failure or any verified VTEC failures? From what I have read (online, of course), solenoid failure and low oil pressure can lead to VTEC problems, but those issues are what I would call "second level" failures, not VTEC failures per se. Lock pin failure would rate as a "first level" VTEC failure for me.

Thanks.

 

From what I could understand many models of Hondas Toyota and fords with vvt have an actuator for the cam gear which is operated by oil pressure flowing through it apparently there's a locked and unlocked position and many of the cam actuator lock pins fail So due to not locking properly when car is restarted after oil drains to pan the rattling clattering is caused by the actuator pin not being engaged properly until oil pressure builds up its about an 800 to $1000 repair at shops. From what I've been told though first generation gd fits have a solid cam gear versus an actuator so lucky dont have to deal with that issue

 

Have not read anything about this; the rocker arms are made of aluminum but they moving at very slow speed relative to each other so jamming and breaking of the rocker arm coupling pins are uncommon with pin length material and diameter. Same question came to mind about how long it will take to wear EFI injector; the answer is more than 32 years

 

Sounds like a gear problem in the starter to keep it simple.