2002S2K

Just as the title says, I have a very light tapping coming from inside the valve cover, it is worse when cold and then seems to disappear when at operating temperature. I thought it just went away, but then when I pulled back into my garage I could hear it echoing.

I recently did an oil change and after I was done and started the car with the hood open I noticed this noise. So basically I am not sure if it was there all along or if something happened during the oil change. I was meticulous in doing the oil change, got a Honda PCX oil filter, even torqued the drain plug using a torque wrench. I used Valvoline 10w30 oil and the level is just fine.

Any insight would be appreciated, has anyone had this problem and its come and gone? Could it be the new oil?

xviper

We do tend to have rather noticeable valvetrain noise. Listen to another S2000 for comparison.

2002S2K

I just remember how quiet mine used to be, is it possible they have come out of adjustment this soon?

I can't recall ever hearing anything like this, is it something I should be worried about or just see if it goes away naturally?

xviper

I suppose they could have gone out of adjustment. Since you can't really convey sound very well in the printed word, it's hard to say if what you have is abnormal or not. It's also possible that some of your valve retainers are cracked, but this is an extreme case. You won't know till you compare to other S2000's and have the valvetrain inspected.

2002S2K

Thanks Dave, I will probably just take it over to the local Honda dealer I use and let them take a listen.

Sean

mad-dog-one

The general rule is that a noisy (loose) valve is a happy valve, although there are various reasons for valve noise and some are catastrophic. A tight valve is generally more serious and doesn't produce much tappet noise.

Nobody

If you can change your oil you can adjust your valves. I feared valve adjustments for a long time, but it's really a pretty straightforward procedure. The S2000 has some noisy ass valves even though they're adjusted properly, though.....

topcat7111

I had my adjusted when i took my valve cover off to retrieved a crack oil fill cap... I follow the DIY guide and it was pretty straightforward procedure...Even after the adjustment the valves are still little noisy...I noticed that if my oil is slightly over fill, the valve train is a little noisy. When it's bellow the full XXX marked, it sounds like normal valve train noise...but than again the F20c and F22c are noisy compare to other Honda engines. I think most of the sounds are coming from the timing chain.

2002S2K

Thanks guys, the noise seems to subside after the car warms up, I will look into the valve adjustment DIY guide.

I actually just filled up with gas and it sounds like its completely gone, wonder if I got bad gas or something and was getting some type of knock.

Billman250

Depends on how fast the tick is....1 tap per rpm is likely a valve tap.

Multiple taps, which sound like a ratchet, could be the chain tensioner.

I've done 3 2004 chain tensioners already for massive tapping, all low mile cars.