'96 Accord EX V6 -- When the engine is cold and I start it, the engine ticks and taps loudly. It will do this usually until the engine gets up to normal operating temperature. It is most audible, and long lasting when it is colder outside.

When the engine is ticking and tapping, if I rev it to 4-5,000 rpm it will go away, at least for a minute or so, but if the engine is hot enough, and it's not too cold outside, after revving it will usually go away. Is this because revving builds up oil pressure?? Yes, there's oil in the engine, no, the oil indicator light is not on.

When the engine is nice and warm it purrs quietly and sounds GREAT! But the initial start up, especially when cold out, sounds terrible.

 

could be several things

valves
fuel injectors
purge solenoid

revving the engine like that when it is cold is BAD........

 

It's been pretty cold this winter (I'm located in Germantown MD), but this morning it was about 60 degrees and beautiful outside. I started it up to go to class and it was not ticking at all. As I pulled into my school (about 3 minutes form my house); however, it started ticking a little... It always does it when it's cold, and it sometimes does it just when the engine is not fully warmed up.

 

I am not familiar with these engines. Any ideas, advice? Thanks!!

 

Hmm that's interesting. Yeah, I'm thinking I may need to adjust the valve lash. ??

 

Honda's are known for having piston slap during cold operation. Piston slap is the piston rocking side to side as it travels in the cylinder. The piston to cylinder wall clearance was designed this way. As the engine warms up the clearance decreases an the sound dissipates. Not sure if this is your problem or not but I have learned that the older Honda motors did this. Valve lash, as already said, could certainly be an issue. I know the 4cyl in that generation Accord had a loud valve train regardless of the condition. Also make sure it has the correct level of oil.

 

Yes, the oil is full and relatively clean. I don't think it's a knock or pistion slap. It really sounds like valvetrain noise. I'm leaning towards the valve lash out of adjustment. Could it also be the lifters making noise?

 

Insufficient oil pressure to the hydralic cam follower pivots (Lifters), either from sludge, worn oil pump or just wear. This first permutation of V6 had Hydraulic lifters (Go Figure). I'd pull a cover and see which are loose; inspect the area and get back

P

 

Cool thanks for the advice guys! Aaaargghh, I need some time to work on the car. I'm pretty busy with school and work. I'll take a look at it this weekend.

Will I need new valve cover gaskets when I take the covers off to inspect??

 

I have the same year,make,model and problem.did you ever find the source or solution? It is hard to find any info on this motor.I pulled the valve covers but could not see any way to adjust the valves.I am planning on installing a mechanical oil gauge to monitor the pressure.Anyone know what the factory pressure should be?