Engine Noise

[Why Not]

Hello group.
New here and not sure where posts go. If Im in the wrong place let me know.
I have a 2026 Passport Trailsport and was wondering if cold start "clanking/clattering" is normal for these engines. When the engine warms its a bit quieter but still "clanky/clatter" sounding. Ive never owned a Honda and dont know if this is normal or not. I took to the dealer and all they did was start it and look at it at said it was normal. Just doesnt sound right to me. Ive been around engines for a lot of years but as mentioned--never had a Honda or a V6. Anyone else have a similar noise?

Thanks!

 

[Steve]

Hello group.
New here and not sure where posts go. If Im in the wrong place let me know.
I have a 2026 Passport Trailsport and was wondering if cold start "clanking/clattering" is normal for these engines. When the engine warms its a bit quieter but still "clanky/clatter" sounding. Ive never owned a Honda and dont know if this is normal or not. I took to the dealer and all they did was start it and look at it at said it was normal. Just doesnt sound right to me. Ive been around engines for a lot of years but as mentioned--never had a Honda or a V6. Anyone else have a similar noise?

Thanks!

FWIW, That does NOT sound normal to me. Suggest you get the service department let you start another 2026 Passport and take a listen. If it doesn't make the same disturbing noise, that puts you in the position to ask why yours makes the noise and theirs doesn't. My style would be to stay calm and friendly, but firm. You can, of course, follow your own style of how you like to handle such things.

 

[Why Not]

FWIW, That does NOT sound normal to me. Suggest you get the service department let you start another 2026 Passport and take a listen. If it doesn't make the same disturbing noise, that puts you in the position to ask why yours makes the noise and theirs doesn't. My style would be to stay calm and friendly, but firm. You can, of course, follow your own style of how you like to handle such things.

Thanks for your input! When I picked it up they told me they listened to another one and it sounded the same. I should have made them do a "show me" instead of accepting what they did. Funny part is I have a dash cam that comes on when the car is started. I looked at it after getting home and all they did was lift the hood and listen for about a minute and closed the hood and called it good. There was no stethoscope- scan tool or nothing. After getting home the mere fact they told me they listened to another one makes me think they might have thought it unusual to have to check another. I dont believe anyone will do anything without a code or failure, I still dont think its normal and may take it back again but not sure Ill get much cooperation.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for your input! When I picked it up they told me they listened to another one and it sounded the same. I should have made them do a "show me" instead of accepting what they did. Funny part is I have a dash cam that comes on when the car is started. I looked at it after getting home and all they did was lift the hood and listen for about a minute and closed the hood and called it good. There was no stethoscope- scan tool or nothing. After getting home the mere fact they told me they listened to another one makes me think they might have thought it unusual to have to check another. I dont believe anyone will do anything without a code or failure, I still dont think its normal and may take it back again but not sure Ill get much cooperation.

Maybe a different dealership's service department is the answer?

 

[KeithBennett]

Just a suggestion - Go back and ask them to show you that the engine noise is normal. Tell them that you will be video recording the session, as you plan to post the recording on several websites. The dealerships don't want anything bad about them on the web and they will go to GREAT lengths to assure you are happy when you write your posting.

 

[Sagerider]

I’m Hello group.
New here and not sure where posts go. If Im in the wrong place let me know.
I have a 2026 Passport Trailsport and was wondering if cold start "clanking/clattering" is normal for these engines. When the engine warms its a bit quieter but still "clanky/clatter" sounding. Ive never owned a Honda and dont know if this is normal or not. I took to the dealer and all they did was start it and look at it at said it was normal. Just doesnt sound right to me. Ive been around engines for a lot of years but as mentioned--never had a Honda or a V6. Anyone else have a similar noise?

Thanks!

I’m not sure how loud it is but yes it’s normal to a degree. The J35Y8 DOHC engine have super high psi injectors and they clatter quite a bit. This engine has roller rockers which can be noisy when cold. My 2002 GMC 6 liter engine sounds like a diesel when it’s cold and it’s been that way since new and I’m still driving it. I would listen to a couple other J35Y8’s and see if yours is different. I’ll send a video of mine for your consideration.

 

[Finder]

For the 2026 Honda Passport’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, the internal Honda engine code is most commonly referred to as the J35Y8 — a modern member of Honda’s long-running J-series V6 family. This version uses For the 2026 Honda Passport’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, the internal Honda engine code is most commonly referred to as the J35Y8 — a modern member of Honda’s long-running J-series V6 family. This version uses dual overhead cams (DOHC) and Variable Timing Control (VTC), and it replaces the older SOHC J35 variants used in earlier Passports and other Honda models.replacing the older SOHC J35 variants used in earlier Passports and other Honda models.
This is a normal noise when the engine is cold. It's typical for Honda engines because they use dual overhead cams (DOHC) and Variable Timing Control (VTC). After warming up, the valve clearances adjust, and the engine runs quieter. I had a Honda Accord back in 1995. The twin-cam sound was the same. The engine lasted a very long time.

 

[JCAV1]

I’m not sure how loud it is but yes it’s normal to a degree. The J35Y8 DOHC engine have super high psi injectors and they clatter quite a bit. This engine has roller rockers which can be noisy when cold. My 2002 GMC 6 liter engine sounds like a diesel when it’s cold and it’s been that way since new and I’m still driving it. I would listen to a couple other J35Y8’s and see if yours is different. I’ll send a video of mine for your consideration.
View attachment 794

Sounds exactly like my 2026 PP/TS engine. Runs great.

 

[Steve]

If the sound of your engine is like the video Sagerider posted, that's what my 2026 Passport sounds like as well.

 

[Why Not]

For the 2026 Honda Passport’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, the internal Honda engine code is most commonly referred to as the J35Y8 — a modern member of Honda’s long-running J-series V6 family. This version uses For the 2026 Honda Passport’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, the internal Honda engine code is most commonly referred to as the J35Y8 — a modern member of Honda’s long-running J-series V6 family. This version uses dual overhead cams (DOHC) and Variable Timing Control (VTC), and it replaces the older SOHC J35 variants used in earlier Passports and other Honda models.replacing the older SOHC J35 variants used in earlier Passports and other Honda models.
This is a normal noise when the engine is cold. It's typical for Honda engines because they use dual overhead cams (DOHC) and Variable Timing Control (VTC). After warming up, the valve clearances adjust, and the engine runs quieter. I had a Honda Accord back in 1995. The twin-cam sound was the same. The engine lasted a very long time.

Thank you for this information!

 

[Why Not]

Sounds exactly like my 2026 PP/TS engine. Runs great.

Thank you! It does sound very similar! BTW what format did you use to post the video? I cant get my vid to upload.

 

[Swamp Rat]

Hello group.
New here and not sure where posts go. If Im in the wrong place let me know.
I have a 2026 Passport Trailsport and was wondering if cold start "clanking/clattering" is normal for these engines. When the engine warms its a bit quieter but still "clanky/clatter" sounding. Ive never owned a Honda and dont know if this is normal or not. I took to the dealer and all they did was start it and look at it at said it was normal. Just doesnt sound right to me. Ive been around engines for a lot of years but as mentioned--never had a Honda or a V6. Anyone else have a similar noise?

Thanks!

Not normal at all!