2000 civic ex

i have a civic 2000 ex with 69,000 miles on it .when i start the car on cold starts the engine starts right up fine but when the engine goes it makes a tapping noise for about 10 seconds then stops. its like the oil starts to get up in the head and the noise stops .the car drives fine but i hate the noise when i start it.

It's normal, happens to everyone. Getting a valve adjustment will help the sound, but it wont go away completely.

It's normal, happens to everyone. Getting a valve adjustment will help the sound, but it wont go away completely.

so what wil happen if i don't get the vavle adjustment and if i do how much should it cost

so what wil happen if i don't get the vavle adjustment and if i do how much should it cost

if you dont get it fixed then you would still have that same noise problem...if you do get it fixed then it would cost any where from 100-250 i would say...

I got a valve adjustment done at the Honda Dealer for $136

Doing a valve adjustment is a pretty easy task.
Once you pull the valve cover you just use a feeler gage and
adjust by loosening the tappet nut and turning the stud.
Get a service manual, even a cheap Hanes manual will
walk you through it. It's not difficult.
You need to verify that is your problem, if not,
you may have a more serious problem.
Probably is the valves, adjustment is normal maintenace.

how big of a feeler gauge do you need? like 10 thou? 20?

A Haynes or Chiltons manual will tell you of the exact tolerances for the valve lash (it's measured in millimeters, not inches). I don't have mine with me at the moment (I'm @ college) but a regular Blue-point/Snapon type feeler guage will be sufficient.