when i start up my car i can hear a chattering noise comming within the engine, sometimes it sounds louder than other days, but not that noisy. i've heard it may be the valves or something, so im wondering if a valve job would rectify this? thanks for any input

 

A few things cause that valve lash noise (if that's what you are hearing), low oil will do it, bad oil (dirty) makes it worse, weather makes it sound differently at times too, also valve clearances being off. So an oil change and a valve adjustment would probably clear up most of those issues and make the car more quiet

 

It's easier to give a more specific answer if you can pinpoint the location of the sound. Try some scrap garden-hose as a poor-man'sstethoscope? Or a screwdriver or some kind of stick against your ear? Be careful not to get caught up in rotating pulleys...

 

also after you do those diagnostics if you could provide us with year/trim and mileage that would help as well

 

its ur cat shield

 

that is a great thought.... without knowing more about the noise and such you could be right on.... great idea mamarotta.... Hopefully he'll be back before to long to let us know what's going on...

 

well i did the oil check and the engine is consuming it, so i added a whole quart. the noise is the same and i was told that those were the valves for sure. my cat converter has no shield . 2002 accord ex 4 cyl 4 door 5 speed. thanks

 

have the valve lash adjusted and see if that helps .....