i have a 1998 civic with a y8. I adjusted my valves because they were all loose. i used the correct feeler gauges for both exhaust and intake side. Now every time i start the car cold it sounds like i have a valve tap. so i adjusted them AGAIN and the sound is still there. but goes away after car warms up in about 5 mins. Any idea what the hell this sound is?

 

Seems like you adjusted the valves too tight still. Loosen it up just a little more and that should do the trick; not too loose though. When it ticks, that means that the valves are still too tight. once it is done and done correctly you won't hear any ticking. Also make sure the engine is dead cold!

 

but the sound goes away after 5 minutes. could tht still be to tight?

 

My civic makes the same sound. I took it in to Honda to have adjusted thinking I did not do it right, and they said they were spot on, with minor adjustments. The tick they said was normal until operating temp. At op temp you can't hear it...

 

Are you sure it is ticking and it is related to valves?

When valves are too tight the engine can loose a little power when warmed up.

And I second adjusting the valves after the engine has been off for 4+ hours strait.