Almost everyone had at least one post about engine ticking or clicking sound, most pronounced at slow idle (park or neutral) with warm engine (50 to 60 degrees C)
Today I chased this noise and after checking for loose spark plugs, noisy chain, loose valves (very important for my reputation, because I've adjusted them ) exhaust manifold gasket leak, I finally pushed my long (made in junkyard) hefty screwdriver between intake runners 3 and 4 against the top of PCV oil separator cover (on the block), cylinder #4 and heard this noise loud and clear.


Next, I pushed screwdriver tip against the coolant draining plug on the block (cylinder #2) and heard the same noise, (perhaps not as loud as at the first location)
This narrows this noise down to either [most likely] piston slap (which was amplified by flat oil separator chamber cover) or to less likely extent, the PCV valve itself. I was not ready yet to crimp the PCV hose (will do this after borrowing round nose pliers); I am pretty sure, though, that the noise is way too loud and too regular for the PCV valve)
Update: it's the piston slap!

I would suggest placing this thread in FAQ section.
A great video describes what't going on (on Kia)
According to mechanic,
The wear takes place despite regular oil changes (clean head).
There is a decrease in fuel economy because of this (according to mechanic)
Of course, if I bring this issue up to Honda their standard reply will be either "it's normal" or "you are abusing your car, you should use Honda oil, change it every 3 months and drive like a grandma"
Let's give a warm welcome to a new big trio of Honda, Kia and Hyundai !!!
PS I have an old lady living nearby who drives 07 Fit in pristine condition , but she drives it only 4 miles in a day. This is not good for an engine either (welcome to the world of sludge!)

 

Bunch of videos from YT:

 

Very interesting, doctor J. I thought we had all resolved to live with piston slap on GDs. My GD was quite noisy, but otherwise ran fine up to the day I sold it at 100k mi. (despite my best efforts to abuse the engine with hard running ). My GE is ticky, and I cannot tell where the noise is coming from, but our damn injectors are plenty loud.

subscribed.

 

Thanks doctor J! One of those videos is mine - thanks for investigating the issue. I just turn the fan on 1, which is enough to drown out the ticking noise... so I will ignore it until it throws a rod, or whatever else happens. Currently at 240k, 36-40 mpg, no oil consumption, and still ticking away. Looking forward to the PCV valve follow up, but not too hopeful.

 

It would not throw the rod because of this
The good thing it's more a kind of annoyance than actual problem (like oil consumption between oil changes, on some cars)