Mopar said:
Front cylinder started ticking suddenly. Not a steady tap like a valve. Sounds like a small metallic slap as if somthing is loose. Check valve clearance all were o.k. When I listened with a stethoscope it was on the cam chain side and didn't sound like it was coming from the rocker area. Has anyone had issues with the cam chain tensioner or cam chain stretch.
02 1800C with 21500 miles.
A few thoughts. Noises are un-nerving and sometimes impossible to pin point.
First, there is no way to adjust the tensioner. And cam chains do stretch. Mine did at 20,000 miles. It was still within tolerance, but none-the-less, longer than the other one as evidenced by the wear indicator at the top of the tensioner. Honda gave me a new chain.
Second, mild piston slap is a possibility, though not a great one.
Third, I found a similar ticking which turned out to be a broken heat shield tab on my Chambermaids. New pipes, no more ticking.
Fourth. The decompression cam is held tight at rpm by centrifugal force ie the more rpm the stronger the cam is held in place making it difficult to rattle. I know some have had warranty work for this noise which was attributed to the spring under the cam. This could be your rattle, but I doubt it. If it is, ignore it. It is not a problem.
I think the greatest possibility is your valve adjustment. The Honda factory rep suggested to me (thru the dealer) to adjust slightly tight. Still allow the feeler guage to move in the gap with a fair amount of tug. Art vs. science.
Good luck.