Hi I have just took delivery of a 2003 2 litre VTEC accord and noticed a tapping noise from the engine which gets quieter the warmer the engine gets although it doesn't completely dissapear sounds like the top of the engine maybe tappet area or I have heard it could be the valve actuator looses its oil overnight and starts up dry (read this somewhere else) any help would be appreciated.

 

My first guess is that the valve lash needs to be inspected/adjusted.

If it was the actuator, most of the time they "sound out" on cold start up but go away after about 3~4 seconds.

 

Thank you for your reply I am giving it a service next week all oils and filters so I will check all valve clearances then and see how it goes and get back

 

Oil level good?