Tapping could be if you've used 0w or 5w instead of 10w 40 oil over winter, as it's getting warmer the thinner oil won't get around so well.

 

Rich - did you mean that the oil may have lower viscosity therefore potentially causing the tapping sound?

Mine is going in for a checkup on Monday. It is tapping whilst cold on a 2008 with 24k miles. Will wait for the verdict!!

 

The '0' in the oil spec means the oil will be thinner when cold so will flow easily when cold. when its warmer it will flow even more easily so the tapping when cold should be less of a problem.

Please make the effort to be accurate with your advice or just don't offer it. You'll be suggesting he takes his air filter out next.