My 01 4cyl motor has 70k miles on it and its had a tap to it.. But recently the tap has become very loud when cold for about 15mins. It sounds like a small diesel engine almost I noticed it says in the manual the valves need to be adjusted? Is this normal for these things or could it be something else?

 

When was the last time you had your valves adjusted or your oil changed? It is somewhat normal on cold days to hear some tapping while the oil makes it's way up to the valve train. However regularly changed oil and properly adjusted valves will diminish the noise.

The manual should also tell you the duration between valve inspections/adjustments. IIRC the scheduled maintenance in the Honda manual states that they should be checked/adjusted every 20,000km (12,000 miles) or 12 months. Which ever comes first. However, The Honda Canada scheduled maintenance website states inspect/adjust valves every 84 mths/160,000km (100,000 miles).

If they are making more noise than usual I would opt for having them adjusted and an oil change. If you haven't already you could also have your timing belt, balance belt & water pump replaced all at the same time. Where you are at 70,000 It is usually a good time to do all of these things. Manual recommends them @ the 100,000km (60,000miles) mark.

 

If your engine sounds like a diesel engine, I'd check the timing belt for slacks. My H22 sounded like a Helicopter/Diesel when the t-belt was loose as f*ck and funny thing was, I've been driving on it like that for awhile.

 

I believe its never been checked.. I just bought the car 2 weeks ago. I wasnt looking to change the timing belt at least till 100k miles. And yes Im having the oil changed and the valves checked now.

 

Impossible to diagnose a noise like this through text.

 

if someone change the timing belt, Could be out of time and taping.