This is a GSR motor. The noise is really noticable in 3rd-5th gear around 3K rpm. If I let off the gas, the noise is gone. It only makes that noise during acceleration. I'm thinging it is my timing belt tensioner? I've checked everything else and came up nothing. TAI

 

cant be the tensioner. you said it only happens when you accelerate. if you are on the gas pedal or not, the tensioner is always spinning.

are you sure the noise is comming from the engine bay?
could it be valves? what does the noise sound like?

 

If it is the valves, it should make that sound constanly. should it?
My prelude had a bad tensioner after only 30K miles. The symtom was clicking sound after let off the gas. But this one is when I'm on the gas.

Tensioner can go bad, no matter if it is spinning or not. The noise sounds like taping sound.
I've checked clearance for my exhaust, valve cover hitting the hood, broken header, but I think it is my timing belt tensioner, because the sound is most noticeble from the front driver side.

 

How fast is the tapping sound? Does it increase as speed/RPM increases?

 

it sounds faster when speeding faster. but I can't hear it at all during the first two gears. I thought it was my exhaust hitting on something, but everything checked out fine. I also checked my shift linkage hitting the exhaust, but it is clear as well.

 

It is 100% your valves I just got mine adjusted and they were WAY loose and I had the same symptoms that you got so go down and get them adjusted or do it yourself but thats what the problem is gurantee'd

 

Thanks, I'll check that out this weekend.