Hello H-T,
I need a little help solving this problem. In May I start grad school so I'm going to be commuting about 200 miles a week and I really want the civic running well before then. I recently noticed that when I was at stop signs I could hear my car making this loud knocking noise (I know jump straight to rod knock). So I did a compression test:

1 2 3 4 Dry: 180 170 185 185 Wet: 200 190 210 210

My next step is to look through the oil and cut up my oil filter to look for metal tomorrow sometime. My question to you guys is what do you guys think it could be? I attached a video. The car is a 98 civic ex with a d16y8 automatic motor all stock except bolt ons. I'm beginning to wonder if a lot of the noise is coming from the valves and if I need to replace those. Any input is appreciated:
http://s893.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse098f8a3.mp4
Ignore the oil near the spark plug well I did the compression test last night and missed a little on the hole.

 

Sounds like a really loud tick to me. And obviously the compression is good across 4. I'd start with a valve adjustment

 

Sorry I forgot to tell you I adjusted the valves last month and also cleaned out the LMAs... It super annoying at idle

 

strange noise...

start checking valve clearences,

if ok add an oil additive (motor kote etc)
if not mabe is piston ring.... at the 2 cyllinder

do you have smoke? exhaust gas smels oil?

when it is hot it stops?

 

No smoke that I've seen and its the same as it warms up... I've read through a million post on here about this and I can't seem to figure out what it is. I'm considering taking off the head and checking the valves but at the same time I swear it makes a knock so idk

 

also the exhaust doesn't smell like gas

 

in my opinion dont strip the head. let it be like this as long as it can last.

just check the valve clearences again...
if are ok let it be...

 

Thanks for all of the help!

 

There's only a few things it can be...Have you tried using an engine stethoscope to see if you can isolate the noise?

In addition, how's the mechanical timing? Have you inspected the ignition timing? When was the last tune up?

 

sorry, i forgot to tell you, do a compression test

if the compression is above 150 at all cyllinders, again let it be...

the compression test would show if there is a problem with apiston ring, or valve seat

 

I do not own an engine stethoscope but I've been using a long screwdriver and it has served me well. I have yet to check my mechanical and ignition timing considering doing that after I cut up the oil filter. And my last tune up was in July of 2013.

 

haha, the trusty screw driver! That works as well.

Great. Let us know the results once you've checked everything out.