"Mike" <MikeLikes@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:dbiUd.636$M27.20068@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> Hi All,
> I have a 1995 Honda Civic GLi (D15) and when I start it in the morning the
> engine is quite noisy. It produces a ticking noise and goes away after 5
> minuets then the car is fine. It only happens when the car is cold, once
> it has been driven it will not do it again during the course of the day.
> I have adjusted the tappets and it has made no difference. I also notice
> the car lacks in power between 3k rpm and 4k rpm then it comes back at
> 4.5k rpm. Any suggestions on this problem?
> Regards,
> Michael.

The ticking noise might be a broken exhaust manifold stud or bad exhaust
manifold gasket. As the engine and manifold heat up, the gap closes and you
don't hear the exhaust leak any more. The telling clue if it is indeed a
manifold leak is that the ticking gets louder as you open the throttle. It
is a ticking instead of a roar because it is a tiny leak of the raw exhaust
from one cylinder.

If that fits your symptoms, my favorite way of looking for exhaust leaks is
to connect a shop vac to blow air, run it a minute or so to blow the loose
dust out of the hose, then duct tape the hose to the tail pipe. This will
let you feel for the leak around the manifold gasket when the engine is
cold.

For the power problem I will hazard a guess the ignition timing may be the
culprit - only a guess.

Mike