Can someone confirm my noise (I think cam tensioner)

[Bushum]

Sorry for the crappy video. I was trying to put my ear up to the noise and the camera was moving around. Around 21 seconds is where I think it is coming from. I can not measure oil pressure but it is not below minimum according to VAG COM. It started out as a tick and turned into this noise within about 25 miles at which point I had it towed home. From my searching old posts I'm thinking it's the cam tensioner. I was hoping someone with first hand experience could verify that.

http://s665.photobucket.com/albums/v...t=MVI_4107.mp4

[Charles.waite]

Haha that sounds like a model T with all that puttering.

Sounds a lot like the Cam chain slapping on the tensioner guides. I would still get the oil pressure tested. The Oil pressure warning light mostly just tells you that you are already fucked. By the time its on its almost already too late.

If its gotten worse that quickly, my guess would be low oil pressure causing the cam chain to be under lubricated.

[AutoUnionLov3r]

Nice VC

[foley803]

Here's how I did mine, this DIY saves a bunch of time (you dont have to fool with the timing belt this way): CCT DIY but as Charles said, get a cheap oil pressure gauge and make sure you are getting oil to the thing first.

When I did mine it was just a rattle at startup and at low rpms, also it was a gradual onset over a few weeks.

You may want to use the good 'ol mechanic's stethoscope (your ear on a long screwdriver) to help pinpoint the source of that horrible noise.

Let us know how you end up.


PS Another little tid-bit; I believe the low oil pressure switch is deactivated below 2000 rpms(no warning light), but you can still use measuring blocks to see the position of the switch(yes/no value, not actual pressure) I believe the switch is set for 30-ish psi?

[walky_talky20]

Yeah, the switch is a high threshold (about 23-ish psi), which means it is ignored at hot idle. So if you get your car warmed up and let it idle while you pull the drain plug you will never get a pressure warning. The engine will just lock up. Neat, eh?

That noise sounds pretty bad. I'm not sure that's the CCT. Usually the CCT clanking is faster rhythm and more stable (not so erratic). Generally speaking, it is distinctly "TDI-like":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIhKX...eature=related

I hate to say it, but yours sounds more expensive. I'd check the oil pressure first, and put a stethoscope on the CCT to see what you think. Maybe one of the tensioner guides broke apart and is making all that noise. That sounds plausible. After a little more checking, you should probably pull the valve cover and take a look. You could even start the car like that for a short bit if you want:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnURA...eature=related