1994 civic DX, 1.5L, non-vtec, 5 speed manual. all stock.

getting a strange tapping while drivng, coming from drivers side front. it seems to increase with speed, but is kind an erratic tapping. it only does it if the engine is under load, like accelerating or going up hill. it wont do it if i rev the engine at a stop. and it also wont do it if it's raining.

at first i was thinking it was the valves needing adjustment, but i can hear another tapping that i know is the valves. plus, if it was the valves, it would not stop due to rain.

any ideas or theories are welcome.

 

maybe your axles.....
even if you are not turning...

 

check your CV joints.

 

ok, the CV idea makes sense. how do i check the CV joint?

 

Usually if it is bad enough to make noise then the rubber boot on the axel is ripped and there is grease everywhere.....

 

I kept getting a tapping noise when i was driving, especially when driving fast.. I changed the axle and the tapping stopped. I also changed the tires and got the camber fixed.