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CriticalCommonEngine

Honda Accord: J35A / J35Y V6 Timing Chain Primary and Secondary Rattle

J35A / J35Y V6 Timing Chain Primary and Secondary Rattle is a common engine fault on the Honda Accord on the 2008–2017 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 55 documented faults on the Honda Accord.

Vehicle
Honda Accord
Engine
J35A / J35Y
Years
2008–2017
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Engine

This page covers the Honda Accord as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Honda Accord faults55 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The J35A (CP2/CP3) and J35Y (CR1) 3.5-litre V6 engines use two sets of timing chains — a primary crank-to-intermediate shaft and two secondary chains. The variable valve timing system is entirely oil-pressure dependent; low oil level, extended service intervals, or worn oil pump causes chain slack and tensioner bleed-down. A known secondary-chain rattle on cold start is the most common presentation; advanced cases produce cam timing deviation codes and rough running. This is a well-documented and expensive repair on the V6 Accord.

What you would notice

  • Metallic rattle from top of engine on cold start, subsiding within 20-30 seconds
  • CEL codes P0341, P0344, P0365 (cam position sensor) or P0011/P0014 (cam timing)
  • Rough idle especially on cold mornings
  • Oil pressure warning light history

How to check it

Where to look. Front of engine behind timing chain cover; secondary chains at each cylinder head

  1. Cold-start the engine immediately after overnight soak and listen closely for chain rattle from the upper front of the engine.

  2. Check oil level and condition.

  3. Review service history for oil change frequency — this engine requires fresh oil at 5,000-7,500 km intervals.

  4. Scan for cam timing codes.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “How frequently has the oil been changed and what grade was used?”
  • “Has a cold-start rattle ever been heard from the engine?”
  • “Has the engine ever thrown a check engine light related to cam timing?”

Now check the Honda Accord you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Honda Accord buyer questions

Is j35a / j35y v6 timing chain primary and secondary rattle serious on a Honda Accord?

We rate it critical and common on the Honda Accord. The J35A (CP2/CP3) and J35Y (CR1) 3.5-litre V6 engines use two sets of timing chains — a primary crank-to-intermediate shaft and two secondary chains. The variable valve timing system is entirely oil-pressure dependent; low oil level, extended service intervals, or worn oil pump causes chain slack and tensioner bleed-down. A known secondary-chain rattle on cold start is the most common presentation; advanced cases produce cam timing deviation codes and rough running. This is a well-documented and expensive repair on the V6 Accord.

How much does it cost to fix on a Honda Accord?

$2,500 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Honda Accord years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2017 Honda Accord. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Cold-start the engine immediately after overnight soak and listen closely for chain rattle from the upper front of the engine. Check oil level and condition. Review service history for oil change frequency — this engine requires fresh oil at 5,000-7,500 km intervals. Scan for cam timing codes. Look here: Front of engine behind timing chain cover; secondary chains at each cylinder head