Questions and Answers

Tapping Honda Accord Q. 1994 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder, automatic, fuel injection, 125,000 miles, ABS brakes, no appreciable oil usage, regular maintenance by the book. Getting what sounds like "valve noise" only when cold. During the summer noise is not heard at all. Noise last only about 3 to 5 miles until engine warms up, then cannot be heard.

Valves adjusted regularly, no problem. Dealer scratches head and cannot identify problem. Can you help?

Thanks very much...

A. The valves should be adjusted cold. That is to say about four hours after the engine is shut off to allow the engine to come to, room temperature, as it were.

If they are adjusted hot, they will tap a little when cold. Then as the head heats up the noise gradually goes away. So I would try to adjust them cold and see what happens. And if it doesn't go away altogether, well, a tappy engine is a happy engine.

Valve Clearance

Intake	0.009-0.011 inches
Exhaust	0.011-0.013 inches