First, this is my 3rd Honda Accord and several family members historically purchased Hondas. We have all started looking at other competitors since the quality has since changed. In 2011, noticed rattling sound on a cold start. Had to hackle with Honda to address because they said it was out of warranty...but this actuator related issues is something that should not really go bad. They did a good-will repair but asked me to pay 25%. Well, it started again a year later...no goodwill and had to pay full price. Well, here I am another year later and it's doing it again. Funny, every time they call to try and sell me a new Honda, I share my experience and disgust with this car but they don't seem interested in anything except selling me another Honda. No thank you--won't get another one and will share "my" experience with everyone interested. By the way, the oil consumption is mad but they say with my miles on the car, expect to change the oil a lot more frequently. Shame on you Honda!

I bought a brand new 2008 Honda Accord on December 22, 2007. This was my first new car and also my first Honda. I was hoping that it would live up to the reputation I had heard about. It was my intention to have the car for a long time and assuming things went well, be a Honda customer for life. In the spring of 2010 (around 32,000 miles) the car started making a grinding noise upon startup. It didn’t do it at every startup, but maybe once a week. As the spring went on, it became more frequent. I took it to the dealership in June to have that looked at. They told me it was a problem with the “lifters” and the oil was low. I had the oil changed (which I had just had changed but went with the recommendation. I was also told to keep an eye on the oil and the noise should go away. Well it didn’t go away, and at the same time, I found the car was consuming oil at a pace which was not normal. I began putting a quart of oil in every 1,000 miles or so. I took the car back in to the dealership six months later about the same noise. This time they said it was a Faulty VTC and to once again keep an eye on the oil. Nothing was done about the VTC, they said the car was in no danger and it should be fine. I explained I had to keep putting oil in the car and they told me that was “just something that I had to live with”. In June 2011, I took it in for two recalls. While I was there, I mentioned the noise was still going on. They said not to worry about it. Now at this point, the noise would happen every time I started the car. Sometimes it would happen as I was driving. When this was the case, it was a sign that I should check the oil. I found that I was basically adding two quarts every 4-6 weeks. On October 10, of this year, I went to start the car and it would start for an instant and then die out, as the car died out, the engine made that same grinding noise. This happened for about 15 minutes worth of tries but the car would not start. I had it towed to the dealership. They informed me later that day that the timing chain has slipped. They also said there was a very good chance there was internal engine damage and the engine needs replaced. The car is no longer under warranty, as it now has 72,000 miles, however it was under warranty all of the other times I took it in. If the dealership had caught the problem the first three times I brought it in, it could have been taken care of while under warranty.

After the first 15,000 miles, my brand new 2008 Honda Accord EX-L started making an odd rattling sound during cold start. This first became noticeable during the winter months after the temperature started dropping. This initially happens intermittently then as time progresses, very regularly.

The problem is annoying because it only presents once a day on a cold start--typically, after the car has been sitting overnight. When you take your car to the dealership for repair, know that they will not issue you a loaner vehicle until they can verify the noise themselves.

I've had this part replaced 3 times to date and each time it has been a major inconvenience to have fixed--even under warranty. The first instance had me without a car for 2 days--the dealer was not ever able to reproduce the noise so, I had to come back several months later. The second time this occurred I didn't even think about bringing the car in until the sound was happening at every cold start. After the second warranty repair, since I was about to go out of the powertrain warranty, I was told that I would be under a 12,000 mi warranty if it were to go bad again. This WAS NOT TRUE. It went bad a third, time and this time, after haggling with North American Honda they finally diagnosed the problem a third time. American Honda agreed to repair the vehicle a third time BUT I had to come out of pocket $100 this time since my car was out of warranty. They call this a 'goodwill repair' and because the car is out of warranty they require the customer to share the repair cost. I tried my best to fight this, but my American Honda Case Manager, Lily (1-800-999-1009, ext. 17707) was not very helpful and at times rude when I asked to speak with someone else regarding the problem. Further, if it wasn't for the dealership I wouldn't have had a rental car for the two days my car was being repaired.

As far as I am concerned, Honda has been negligent and unresponsive about providing a permanent fix or recall for what is a pretty common issue for the 2008 Honda Accord. This vehicle was my first new car, and my first Honda. When making my purchase decision, Honda was my only choice because I believed in the reputation of the company and product. I can honestly say that I will not be purchasing another new Honda until this company has proven that it stands behind a quality product once again. I would advise anyone looking for a quality and reliable vehicle to search elsewhere. American Honda has made it very clear that they are no longer interested in the satisfaction of their customers or maintaining the reputation of what was once a great car company.

After the first 15,000 miles, my brand new 2008 Honda Accord EX-L started making an odd rattling sound during cold start. This first became noticeable during the winter months after the temperature started dropping. This initially happens intermittently then as time progresses, very regularly.

The problem is annoying because it only presents once a day on a cold start--typically, after the car has been sitting overnight. When you take your car to the dealership for repair, know that they will not issue you a loaner vehicle until they can verify the noise themselves.

I've had this part replaced 3 times to date and each time it has been a major inconvenience to have fixed--even under warranty. The first instance had me without a car for 2 days--the dealer was not ever able to reproduce the noise so, I had to come back several months later. The second time this occurred I didn't even think about bringing the car in until the sound was happening at every cold start. After the second warranty repair, since I was about to go out of the powertrain warranty, I was told that I would be under a 12,000 mi warranty if it were to go bad again. This WAS NOT TRUE. It went bad a third, time and this time, after haggling with North American Honda they finally diagnosed the problem a third time. American Honda agreed to repair the vehicle a third time BUT I had to come out of pocket $100 this time since my car was out of warranty. They call this a 'goodwill repair' and because the car is out of warranty they require the customer to share the repair cost. I tried my best to fight this, but my American Honda Case Manager, Lily (1-800-999-1009, ext. 17707) was not very helpful and at times rude when I asked to speak with someone else regarding the problem. Further, if it wasn't for the dealership I wouldn't have had a rental car for the two days my car was being repaired.

As far as I am concerned, Honda has been negligent and unresponsive about providing a permanent fix or recall for what is a pretty common issue for the 2008 Honda Accord. This vehicle was my first new car, and my first Honda. When making my purchase decision, Honda was my only choice because I believed in the reputation of the company and product. I can honestly say that I will not be purchasing another new Honda until this company has proven that it stands behind a quality product once again. I would advise anyone looking for a quality and reliable vehicle to search elsewhere. American Honda has made it very clear that they are no longer interested in the satisfaction of their customers or maintaining the reputation of what was once a great car company.

We purchased this vehicle in Texas and shortly after moved to Kansas. I thought this awful grinding noise was because of the cold weather. Took it to the dealership for oil change and explained the problem to them. Of course the car did not make the noise for them, so they told me they could not find a problem.

The noise continued every time the car was started. About a month after going to the dealership, we received a forwarded letter from Honda about the update for the VTC Actuator because of oil consumption. I got the update and researched this further, to find out many people have the loud grinding noise because of this issue, some replacing the Actuator to continue to have the noise.

I talked my husband into buying the Accord over a Civic because it was more of a "family" car, now with this purchase I regret it everyday I have to start my car. The noise makes me cringe every time. At first the noise was only in cold weather, but now it is every single day. Even after the "update" to fix the problem. With the price we are paying for this vehicle, we should not have to listen to this!

I bought my 2008 Honda Accord LX (5 speed manual transmission) used in 2010 from Ancira Nissan. I test drove the car and everything seemed great. It had around 26000 miles on it, and I've owed several Honda Vehicles in the past and still own 3 currently, (88 Honda CRX (showcar), 92 Civic Hatch back (showcar), and a 95 Honda Accord). I also run an import performance shop and I am really familiar with working on Honda cars. My older cars have over 100K miles on them so I expected a newer 08 Accord with 26K miles to last at least to 100,000 miles with no problems as long as I kept up the routine maintenance. Well I was wrong this car does not fit the standard Honda stereotype for reliable and quality like my older Hondas do. This car was purchased for my wife when she decided to sell her 2000 Civic Si that she loved dearly because she wanted a larger car to drive back and forth to work in since she drives about 45 min to and from work each day 90 miles total and we have regret it ever since. We are trapped in a payment and are stuck with a car that has horrible resale value and multiple issues regarding the engine.

She noticed her Accord making grinding noise for a few seconds at start up at about 35000 miles and we took it into Gillman Honda for them to check it out and of course like everyone else on here, the car did not make noise for them to here so we had to leave it overnight and provide ourselves transportation for her to use to get to work the next day. Well the following morning Gillman Honda called us and stated they heard the noise and it was the VTC actuator and said they will cover it under the HONDA warranty at no charge. They replaced it and 6 months later the noise came back. We took the car back to Gillman and told them it was doing the same thing but I also noticed an Oil consumption problem because I was having to top off the oil about 2 quarts ever month, including doing my regular oil changes every 3 months or 3000 miles. So I was told this time that my HONDA factory warranty expired and my car was 61000 miles so I would have to pay for it, I questioned that because they just replace it 6 months prior but they would not budge, so I remembered I purchased the extended warranty when I bought the car so they billed the warranty company and I had to come up with $50 deductible out of pocket. I also paid them to change the oil so I could verify that they knew when and who did the oil change last so I could show them that it is consuming the oil in a short matter of time , Too much and to fast for a newer car with no leaks. I picked up my car a few days later and the noise stopped and my oil level was right on the money so I went home and tried to forget about it, but not even a month later the damn noise came back and I was burning oil again. I called my service writer at Gillman again and told him whats up and he said bring the car back in maybe the secong VTC actuator was defective, and he stated that he found out that the oil consumption was do to a service bulletin Honda posted regarding re flashing the ECU because the fuel injectors where staying open to long causing oil consumption problems in these cars. Well it didn't really make since to me, but I said ok and took it to the dealer. OK so this is my 3rd time back for the same issue and I demanded for a prepaid rental car and stated that I was not paying a dime to have it replaced again, this time they had it over the weekend and my wife picked it up the following Monday only to get her car back with the check engine light on and it running sluggish. Yep sh*t hit the fan. I took it back over there the following day and asked if I was gonna need to fix it my damn self and charge them for the repairs? They told me no sir we will have your check engine light checked and let you know what it is briefly, well they scanned it and told me that the tech repairing my car did not set the timing correctly and that was the cause of the check engine light and car running sluggish. Yep I had to leave it at Gillman again and have them put me in a rental while they promised me that they will have their shop foreman work on my car and get all the problems fixed.

They called me 2 days later and said it was ready and when I got in there, the service adviser told me that the oil consumption problem is just normal and considering the amount of miles my wife drives each day to and from work, and also stated its common in the big 2.4L 4 Cyl. also stating that the Honda S2000 have the same oil consumption problems. I was so pissed to hear that, because it seemed like they just didn't give a sh*t about me as a Honda customer. I work on cars for a living and I knew that was bullshit, the only reason why I keep screwing with this dealership is because of my extended warranty I purchased and that's cheaper than me coming completely outa pocket.

Well anyways as of 06/12/12 my 2008 Honda Accord is still making that stupid grinding noise at start up every time it sits for a couple of hours, it's still consuming oil, and I'm screwed with paying payments on a piece of crap because the car dealerships only want to over $8000 on trade in on a 2008 Honda Accord with 79000 miles on it. I still owe the bank $14000 for this awesome dependable car. That's right I tried to purchase a new HONDA civic at this dealership one of the many times I was out there having my Accord serviced and that's the best they could do for me. I've been to multiple other new car dealerships and that seems to be the going rate for this car.

So as much as I appreciate the older Honda cars I gotta say STAY THE HECK AWAY from the newer ones, they are defiantly not the same.

This problem actually began several months ago but still within the past year. The car makes an awful grinding/scraping sound for a few seconds when I turn it on from a cold start. Honda told me a day or two ago that I need a new VTC actuator. Six major issues in less than 4 years = lemon!!!

Update from Apr 24, 2012: I had the VTC actuator replaced and the problem has disappeared. This would have cost around $250 installed however the Honda dealership replace it at no cost to me. It was covered under the powertrain warranty since my mileage is under 60,000. Thank you Prime Honda of Dedham!!!

My 2008 Honda Accord, that I bought new, has been making a terrible grinding noise when I start it (cold start), and it appears to be getting louder. The more I read, the more I hear that this could be a VTC Actuator issue that appears to be happening a lot. If so I think it should be a recall. My brakes squeak terrible too and always have, not to mention my paint is chipping off of the door (ding) guard, which the dealer said should happen, but my family member in the automotive paint business says that it's not normal and looks like it didn't cure or something to that affect. I called the dealer today to ask them about this grinding and he acted as if he hadn't heard of this until I mentioned the VTC issues I've seen. I just want the reliable car that I thought I was getting. I'm not sure the cost of this repair or what it will eventually do. Does anyone?

I begin hearing a knocking/grinding sound during a cold start two month ago. I took my car to the dealership the noise was not heard by the mechanics at that time. After a month of cold starts of hearing the noise and my oil indicator appeared when I would smash the brakes, although my oil life was only at 40%. I took the service advisors advice to get an oil change. A month and a half later the sound continued again and the oil light re-appeared. Oil life at that time was at 90%.I took my car back to the dealership they recommended a transmission flush and stated that my oil was full.

Now, I am finding out that this is a normal complaint and is most likely a bad VTC Actuator that needs to be replaced. I’m contacting Honda now to get my issue resolved. I hate to give up on Honda. I brought my car because of their trusted reputation, hopefully they will do the right thing for a loyal Honda buyer. I will post the outcome real soon.

My concern is that this is a situation that is not on a recall list. I have had my car at Leith Honda (Raleigh NC), Autopark Honda (Cary NC) and Crown Honda (Durham NC) and no one could hear this noise. They have kept my car all day and no one heard it. On Wednesday May 18, 2011, I took it back to Crown Honda (Durham NC) and they kept it all day and did not hear the noise. When I went to pick up the car I asked a technician to be there with me when I started the car and he heard the noise and indicated that this was the Vtech Actuator. He said Honda issued a bulletin admitting knowing about the problem but it was not on the recall list. He said no one knows why this is happening, but that it costs approximately $650 to repair. That is unfortunate that Honda is not taking ownership of this issue because it is something that is not a wear and tear item, it is no reason for this to break and it is not something that the driver does to cause this defect. From the moment I have had my Honda it has given me small incidents that were unexplained by Honda. I am highly disappointed and I would like this to be added to the recall list please.

I took my car to get the loud grinding noise repaired and the service manager at Ed Voyles Honda on Cobb Parkway (Marietta, Georgia) claimed that Honda states it is not a part that is "failing" so it would not be repaired. He went on to say that the ignition key should be turned faster. Growing up in a family who knew how to work on cars, I obviously went back at him with how completely unbelievable his comments were. Of course, it turned out to be the VTC Actuator which had to be replaced - it was covered under warranty. HOWEVER, when I picked up the car (after service hours), the emission light, VSA and (!) light was illuminated. My car drove extremely sluggish - I would have the pedal to the floor and it would take forever just to reach 40mph. I had to take it back to the shop again today only to hear that they probably installed it incorrectly. On top of those issues - at 32,600 mi, I am now on my SECOND set of brake pads, I've had a leak in my rear window which actually caused ICE to form on the inside of my windshield, the car used to make some type of gurgling sound which Honda completely ignored - - if you are considering this car, PLEASE think long and hard.

This is my 6th and LAST Honda for a while. I have been completely offended and undermined by the service people (don't get me started on Gwinnett Place Honda - CROOKS!!!) and I've had nothing but car problems that ended in a dispute. Save yourself some heartache. I've only had the car just over three years and I've had significant repair issues during this short timeframe.

Car started clacking very briefly on first day of cold weather upon initial start up. I thought that the starter was bad. I checked out Auto Beef and sure enough it was the VTC actuator that people are having trouble with...I thought my warranty had expired so I was reluctant to bring it to the dealer....I was relieved to know that the powertrain on 07 and newer is covered for 5 yr/60k . First I heard about that I was under the impression the whole car was just 3yr/36k. Dealer is replacing part on 2/21/11.

This site also helped me with the brake wear problem too.

It started with a slight grinding sound when i would start my car, I didnlt thik anything of it but it slowly progressed to an awful grinding noise which last for a few second when I start my car. I have really noticed it since its been cold out. I have had nothing but problems with my car which by the way I bought new. Not only is it making this grinding sound but it is also burning oil. I took my car in for a strange sound, I was hearing it for a few weeks. The dealer told me it was 3 different things..Really??? There suppose to know what there doing but apparently they dont becasue my brother in law figured out I had no oil and it was the dip stick rattling around. I have the extended warranty and will be bringing it in to be serviced.( AGAIN) Once the problem is corrected this dump of a $30,000.00 car will be traded in and I am happy to say it will not be for a Honda.

Starter motor dos not disengage after cold start.

Dealer quotes $425 for Starter replacement (car has less than 36000!) starter or vtc actuator to be replaced ?? According to the information on this site HONDA recommends to replace VTC Actuator (A09-010 TSB).

What should I do?

Update from Apr 12, 2011: -Dealer has no information about vtc actuator existence. Dealer raised a quote for Starter replacement to $600

Update from Apr 14, 2011: After reading Service Bulletin 09-010 I think my car's problem is not a bad starter. It is a VTC Actuator. I send e-mail to the Dealer, asking if they can do the repair job according to SB 09-010. So far I got no replies.

Update from Apr 20, 2011: VTC Actuator has been replaced.Work was done at no charge to me.

We had notice for over a year a metal grinding sound on cold start. it wasn't all the time though. We took it to two different Honda dealers and they did not hear the noise. We later found out that was because it only happens on cold starts. We took our car to a car repair shop and they told us we needed a new starter. We didn't think that was the problem. We did some research online and found that Honda posted a bulletin saying that there was a known problem with 2008 4 cyl accord. The problem was with the vtc actuator and the only way to fix it is to replace the vtc actuator. Unfortunately our warranty had run out. We asked the Honda dealer for consideration due to the fact that this was a problem that Honda was aware of. they ended up charging us 50% of their cost which ended up being $150. I would have liked it better if they covered it 100%. this problem was misdiagnosed for my aunt. The honda dealer she took her car to told her she needed a new starter. they replaced the starter and that did not fix the problem. She is now trying to convince the honda dealer that it is the vtc actuator but they have not heard the sound yet and they will not replace it until they hear the noise. Unfortunately that could take a while because it doesn't happen all the time.

Like other Canadian bloggers on this forum, have recently experienced a grinding noise coming from the stater at start up. Particularly noticeable when mercury dips to -20C. Noise lasts 3-4 turnovers then disappears before engine starts.

Left car with dealer overnight (you guessed it - no noise after running a few blocks). Thankfully, it was cold again (what else is new?) and the dealer just called to say the starter would be replaced on warranty tomorrow.

So, let's see. A brand new 2008 top-of-the-line Honda with car door rubber gaskets (see separate entry) and now a starter being replaced after only 30,000KM (18,500 miles!)? Thank God (can I say this?) for this forum. I've fired off an e-mail to the dealer (now there's a record) to check whether there are any bulletins for a defective VTEC actuator while we're at it.

Enough said about HONDA "quality".

Oil light came on - checked level, completely empty. Originally thought the dealership neglected to fill the oil chamber at the last oil change. Asked for an oil change and for the mechanic to check the engine to ensure there was not damage. Viewing the work order later on showed that the engine was not checked.

One month later, everytime I turned over the engine, there would be a loud 'clunk'. This was consistent with cold engine starts. The oil light came on again - checked level, completely empty AGAIN. Took it to the dealership where they had it for a couple of days to replicate the 'clunking' sound. The entire engine had to be rebuilt - the rings had seized and the oil was dumping into the engine. The rings were replaced and the cylinders had to be re-honed. Additionally, the v-tech solenoid was replaced. So, both the engine short and long block were crap. Took weeks to get the car fixed.

When I finally got my car back, the shifter cable assembly broke and I lost 2nd, 4th and reverse gears. That was the last straw. I fought a long 4-month battle and won. The dealership bought back my car and I am driving a 2011 Pilot. If it were just Honda Canada I was dealing with, I would still be in my crap Accord because they were not admitting their was an issue and hiding behind the warranty. But the dealership stepped up and took care of their customer.

Car was making a grinding noise when starting for the first start of the day. Honda dealership replaced the starter twice, but the noise is still there. Taking it in again next week to try again.

One thing that I find confusing -- it stopped making the noise for a couple months after the first starter replacement. Then started making the noise again, and getting worse all the time. Now, after the second starter replacement, the noise is worse than ever.

Update from May 3, 2011: My "award-winning" honda service department never did diagnose the problem - I did by researching on the internet and calling a service department in another state. After I told them what the problem was - the vtech actuator - they did their own research and agreed with me. Of course, the warranty has run out, so now, they are offering me a "friends and family" discount to replace the actuator for a total cost just under $200. This should be recalled! I will not buy another Honda after this one.

Ok,. This is BULLSHIT..

So I have an 08 accord, and this car has been my baby for just over 2 years.. Living in Canada, the early september nights start to get cool and every morning when I start my car, it made this ridiculous noise.. I find out that its this VTC Actuator thing that appears to be a known problem because the moment I called the service tech he knew EXACTLY what I was talking about.. but told me that the part will cost 180$ and the labour is gonna be another $400.. All because I am 13,000 KM over the 60K warranty.. The way I see it, if they know its a problem, either to a recall or cover the costs! who's fault is it that they use crappy parts!?

I surely shouldn't be on the hook for $600 for a car that's 2 years old because Honda has chosen to use crappy parts.

Problem: engine rattles on cold start up/ "The Variable timing control actuator is defective"

Fact: My car makes rattling sound almost every time after starting up. Rattling is getting serious day by day. I stopped by Honda local service center first, and contacted Honda USA by mail and phone later, to ask repairing my car by goodwill consideration. Mileage was about 77500. They refused to repair it because of high mileage.

Opinion: According to alldata.com, all the cars of Accord L4 2/4-door (even some types of 2009...) have same problem above. But, both Honda local service center and Honda USA refused to repair it by same reason. I think above problem can be 'recall item' if the report of alldata.com is true. Please tell me your view on this matter. What shall I do for this? repair my car

AHHHH!!!!! I OFFICIALLY HATE HONDA vehicles!!! Found out today after replacing my REAR BRAKES """"again"""" that the noise that has been occurring after my car is started is having to be caused and leads to ENGINE WEAR. Luckily the HONDA MECHANIC was HONEST and said needs to research it and says my warranty will cover it. LETS HOPE he doesn't say something DIFFERENT when he calls me. I have had the last MECHANIC that works here say last year with my brake issues that a lot of people were complaining once i talked to the MANAGER the mechanic denied saying that comment. The noise started in about March 2010. I bought this car in 12/2007 and is a 2008 accord. Now it has got to the point that is makes the KNOCKING noise every time I START the car COLD or HOT. I am so irritated with HONDA cars now.

I DISLIKE them VERY much and I am telling everyone if they are looking into getting a NEW car to stay AWAY from HONDA.

From a cold start you would hear a grinding noise that would last a few seconds. When warm start, didn't hear it. Car is NOW out of warranty and we are told it is probably the actuator and will cost $350 to fix. We're leaving the car over night so they can hear it but they were VERY ASSURED that they knew what it was...indicating this is a normal complaint.

If you have a 2008 Accord still in warranty, I would go and tell the dealer to fix this problem before it occurs, because it most likely will occur. With the brake problems and now this I am highly irritated we purchased a brand new Honda because of the reliability we had grown to expect from Honda.

My 2008 honda had 22 miles on it when I purchased in Dec of 07. This car had no problems unil Oct. of last year. I began to hear this noise when I would crank it. I asked my husband did he hear, but he just would say I baby the car. The noise persistently got worse and my God father noticed. Just like you all, it started out if the car sat for long period of time, then it got to where it did it for a sec every time I cranked! It took someone rear ending me for me to make sure everything on that piss of ish got fixed! If your car is under warranty, it needs to be fixed b/c it is a big job an you will need a rental. Honda does not provide! It has been a bulletin on it (just not sent to honda owners) tell them about the noise and leave the car there. Give them exact time as to when to crank the car. It will get fixed!!

I bought a Honda because they have a reputation for being reliable. Never liked the style until the 2008 body style, but the 08 is awesome. The dealership in Lewisville TX doesn't seem to care about my problem and claim that they have not been able to replicate the funny grinding flapping noise my car makes. I truely wonder if they didn't hear it, or if they're stalling because I only have 3000 miles of warranty left. I have maintained this car in ways you wouldn't believe. I have babied it to the extreme and paid out the @## for the manufacture's recommended preventative maintenance. A lot of good all that wasted money has done me thus far. I am so tired of corporate America screwing over hard working consumers by letting quality control sit on the back burner. Makes me want to buy a Chevy. At least a Chevy is cheaper and easier to get fixed.

It started with just a small grinding sound but slowly progressed to where it sounds terrible and makes a 5 second grinding sound from cold starts. I took it into Honda and they said that it was just because my oil was low (we all knew that that wasn't the problem but i was like whatever ill try). So I got my car back and it still did the same thing, i couldn't find time to take it in until 3 weeks later, and i left the car at Honda for 3 hours and they tried turning it on to hear the sound and i guess they didn't hear anything. So I'm stuck leaving it there the whole weekend so they will be able to hear the sound. I hope they find out what is wrong...

On cold starts the car makes a grinding sound that only lasts 3 or 4 seconds. But its very noticable. At first it only did it occasionally after it had been sitting for at least 12 hours. Now it does it consistently whenever its been sitting for 4-5 hours. But as soon as the car is started once, even if it is immediately turned off then back on, the sound will be gone. I took it to my local mechanic, and he was stumped. Next stop is the Honda Dealership.

Update from Dec 6, 2009: This is caused by the VTEC actuator going bad. Honda dealer replaced it and I'm now $430 poorer. They knew what it was immediately, and I haven't had any problems since.