My 96 civic LX (sohc) knocks and taps when cold. i have checked both the timing and oil pump, (and YES i change the oil every 4K) and all seems to be fine. i have had other hondas that have had noisy cold starts but this one is by far the worst. Please tell me how to get rid of it and/or tell me that its OK

 

Well i think your problem is that your Single Head is Over your Cam(shoc).
hahahaha

I am just messin with ya bro,
brian

 

Check valve lash. If the valves are out of adjustment, when its cold the gap is huge so then you hear lots of tapping, but as it heats up the gap closes to a more accepatable level, quieting things somewhat.

 

Yup, yup. If your car has that famous diesel ticking then go ahead adjust your valves. Odds are that's your noise.