nocking

i have a 1994 ford escort GT 1.8L DOHC and when i start it it sounds like a slight nocking nose comming from the valve cover, but it will stop after a few min. should i get the valves checked out?

Occasionally a loose spark plug might make a noise like that. Make sure they are tight. If so, then you probably have a bad lifter. Lifters are filled with oil and sometimes they will 'bleed off' overnight. Oil pressure fills it back up and the knocking goes away. The lifters are located between the camshaft and valve stems. As cam and valves wear the lifter will expand by filling with oil and close the gap caused by wear. Maybe try a lighter weight oil that will fill the lifter faster in the morning. If it were mine, I would just let it warm up and stop knocking before driving. If it is a severe knock then maybe take it to a garage for repair. They'll have to remove both camshafts to pull the lifters and inspect them. While you're at it have them put on a new timing belt.