Valve tap noise when engine cold

[njcliff]

I have a 2002 corolla 1.8l that has what sounds like a valve tap when the engine is started. The noise goes away after the engine warms up. I don't think the lifters are adjustable and I'm not sure it's even the lifters. The noise increases with engine speed also. Really sounds like something in the valve train. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[abimanyu]

Is that the 1zzfe engine 1.8 liter non VVTi?

[njcliff]

It does have the vvt.

[abimanyu]

Ok we need more info, whzt year?how many miles?still under warranty?what type of oil did you use? Toyota only recommends 5w30 10w30 20w50

What you can do is go and have the valve check and check for valve clearance

[tashirosgt]

Can someone answer the simple question of whether the valves on the 2002 1.8 L can be adjustable? How are the valves operated? Do they have springs or hydraulic lifters? ( I don't have a Service Manual for the car so I can't reveal the answers myself.)

[Cavi Mike]

Let your car warm up first.

People keep posting all this stuff about "my car when cold blah blah blah"

Metal expands when heated, your engine including valvetrain isn't designed to run preoperly when it's air temperature.

No, you can't adjust your lifters. I don't even know if cars come with solid lifters anymore, they're all hydraulic. And all valves have springs, how else would they return closed?

[Flashmn]

All cars tap when cold, before you get proper oilpressure, etc.
Thats why you never should race the engine when cold.

People keep posting all this stuff about "my car when cold blah blah blah"

Yup, they should read about things before asking. Plus alot of people nowadays come to write on boards how theres something wrong with their car when they hear some slight tapping somewhere. I guess they dont realize that they are mechanical machines and no mechanical device can be absolutely quiet.