The "nearly dying" syndrome is quite common. We just had an interesting talk about this in the chat room with "Utah S2K". He indicates that it has to do with the way this car's fuel maps are set up. You must let the car try to "learn" to overcome this. It may be caused by temp changes and other subtle changes in operating conditions. You should NOT try to "fight" it by using the throttle to compensate. Let it "almost die" a few times and hopefully, in time, it will learn to self adjust. You might help it learn faster if you reset the ECU at the onset of this symtom.
Mine does it every year at about the same time and after it "stumbles" for about 3-4 times, it will not do it again till the following year. Of course, it doesn't hurt to do the MAP sensor "whack" either to help it along. Some have also reported that adjusting some or most of the slack from the throttle cable will help too.

 

sometimes you can't go by the map value. you probably have
tight valves. valve adj. is under warranty for 12k miles/ 1 year. Santa Monica Honda did not check your valves. I'm very sure. AHM would not pay dealership if no problem found.. therefore no valve cover gasket charge out.
piston slapping and valve lash noises are common during cold start
Miller honda is near by.

 

if its coming from the motor, I sugguest you to take your car back to the dealer...I have all kind of rattles from my softop, rear window, and I am so used to it

 

I'm very used to valve noises since I used to drive VW's in the 60's. All my VTEC engines are silent of valve tapping, including my F20C and my H22A1.

There's some chain lash when the engine is started that goes away in a few minutes. Valve tapping noise should be loudest over the valve cover. Cylinder slap noise should be loudest over the exhaust manifold.

My F20C is near silent. Yours should be too. Until you get rid of the "valve train" noise, you don't really know that it is "valve train" noise. That's my two cents, but I'm no motorhead.

 

Wow!
Thank you to everyone that replied... Definitely good to hear that the problem is non critical and fairly common. I'll do some research on the Map sensor and the valve timing.
Thanks again,
Jp
P.S. Is anyone going to Hot Import Nights this weekend in Long Beach? I've never been to one, are they cool?