Can loose (tapping) valves cause oil consumption?
 

My '95 Integra (B18B1) started to make tapping noise after a cold start. Sounds louder under load (2-2.5k rpm) and goes away after ~5 minutes. After reading some other posts here it sounds like I have to adjust the valve clearance.

Anyways, I also noticed that the engine seem to be consuming some oil over that past months (~1/2 quart). Is this related to the valve clearance? Or is it something else.

Thanks

Not related to valve clearance.

Sorry for whoring but...my beater Mazda has a weird problem.

Whenever its out of gear, and coasting my oil light flashes like crazy. This is only when the clutch is down/or out of gear and the rpm's are at/close to idle and the car is moving/coasting.

qtiger, do you have any clue wtf this could be? I'm pretty sure my oil level is a-ok.