Questions and Answers
Honda Playing Taps
Q. I have a 1998 Honda Civic DX with 75,000 miles. After a recent oil replacement, I've noticed a tapping noise coming from the engine area when I start the car up. It seems to go away after a couple minutes. I have manual transmission and no AC. That's really all the info I can give you about the car, because I misplaced my manual, and don't know engine size, etc.
I noticed a similar problem with a Maxima on your Q/A board. Could this be what's happening with my car? I didn't expect to have valve problems so soon with a Honda, but I have driven it many commuter freeway miles.
Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
CarolA. It does sound (no pun intended) like the start of a hydraulic lifter problem. Usually people first notice it after an oil change. The ticking at start up that goes away means that the check valve in the lifter that holds the oil in while the engine is not running is letting the oil drain out. When you start the car and oil pressure builds up refills and the noise goes away.
If you keep a regular schedule of oil changes at 3,000 miles, the problem should grow no worse, and it might go away completely, if it's a dirty lifter problem.
Additional Information provided courtesy of AllDATA
