tapping noise front front of engine

[nappeal]

I have a 2001 Neon-the car since I've bought it has needed a lot work. What I have noticed since I bought the car is this tapping noise comming from the front passenger side of the engine. The tapping increases as the RPMs do, but after about 10 min when the car has warmed up, just a very light noise remains. The sound is almost exactly like having low oil, but I had an oil change 3 months ago, and the mechanic said he didn't notice any leaks or cracks. What I'm most concerned about is it being either the bearings or a belt. I had to have the timing belt replaced and the guy working on it said he had chipped the pully the belt was on-I hope that somethings not chewing up the belt. Any advice would be very helpful as I DO NOT want to return to another shop unless absolutly necessary.

[denisond3]

My Neon is a 97, so there might be differences, but....
The usual tapping sounds from an engine (with an overhead camshaft like Neons have) are due to the lifters/tappets/cam followers - being a little gummed up or sticking somewhat. This would be a fairly high pitched 'tap', not a deep sounding one like the clunk of a bad rod bearing. Its common for such a noise to get quieter when the oil is warmer/thinner. Assuming that is the noise, there isnt much you can do about it (without spending hundreds of $$) except keep clean oil (and a clean oil filter) in the motor, and not let the level get below the xxxx marks on the dipstick. It is likely to go on making that noise for years.
The noise a bad internal engine bearing would make would get louder as the oil got warmer/thinner, so a bad bearing isnt likely.
If the mechanic didnt talk about replacing the pulley that he chipped, then it must be a very small chip, not worth worrying about. But the next time the engine was opened up for a timing belt replacement (like in 100,000 miles or if the water pump needs replaced someday), I would get the chipped pulley replaced.
Timing belts make very little noise. If the belt were rubbing against the plastic timing belt cover, you -might- hear a 'slap', but it wouldnt change with the engine warming up, It might change with the engine running at a warm 'slow idle', instead of the 'fast idle' when it is cold. Again, if this is the noise, you dont have to fix it - the belt will wear the plastic out of the way.
A bad timing belt tensioner pulley would not make a tapping noise - but rather a 'growling', which would be the same when the engine was warm or cold.