hey guys, i got a problem with an 01 model. loud ticking sound. first thing i thought the valves need to be readjusted but that wasn't it. the problem got worse and worse until finally the motor just sounded horrible and so i parked it. i had been asking about this problem to the honda techs and other pros and they believed it MAY be bent valves. i pulled the head and took it to a machine shop. there were some bent valves so replaced all of the valves and seals. got it back just last week. i put everything back together and fired it up last night. i still have the same sound! i made sure everything was installed per honda shop manual. it sounds like it's coming from the #4 intake. i double checked the valve adjustments and they were in tolerance. you can hear it when you turn the motor (no fire). i pulled the rocker assembly to reinspect it and found no visible problems. i turned motor again without the rocker assembly and there is no noise. so i don't think it's piston knock or anything in the short block. i have no idea what will cause this. i checked around on this site to see if anyone else has experienced something like this. it's not the TCT. more of a TAP TAP sound and increases frequency as you increase the engine speed. does NOT go away no matter what you do (engaging/disengaging clutch, neutral, etc.) i don't have a sound clip of it now since the valve train is apart but can anyone help me? sorry for making it so long. i'm just so frustrated with this problem. thank you.

 

Just a random guess and I mena completely random...could it be piston slap? Maybe a ring is going bad or something...I dunno. Someone else?

 

that's what i thought at first also. however, when i removed the rocker assembly, it didn't make that sound.

 

Your rocker arms/rockers and everything are in good shape? No nicks or gouges in them?

 

i checked for those. everything "looks" fine to me. i don't have any machine tools so i couldn't check whether they are within spec. i just have no idea... i checked the pistons inside the rockers to make sure they're ok too. brand new valves and seals with a 3 angle valve job. the lost motion assemblies look fine too.

 

How do the cam lobes look. Particularly on the #4 in/ex.