Is this a bad cam chain tensioner? Video attached.

[whosee]

I have searched the forums and believe this might be a cam chain tensioner issue. Can someone confirm? Most posts describe a diesel sound, however my engine sounds like there are marbles under the valve covers. I took off the driver side valve cover where the noise seemed to have come from, the pads looked fine and the cam chain was tight. Any help is appreciated!

BTW this a 99 2.8L A6 with 172k

-Dan

Here's a video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZcQO_qEDLU

[khalimadeath]

def sounds like chain slap to me. codes?

[Widebody4.2]

My 4.2 sounded identical to that and it was a cam chain tensioner.

[khalimadeath]

My 4.2 sounded identical to that and it was a cam chain tensioner.

This is also how i know... sadly enough.

[Widebody4.2]

This is also how i know... sadly enough.

Sucks big German balls

[whosee]

I checked, but there were no codes. So, if it is the chain tensioner should the sound come from a specific side? At first I thought it was the drivers side, but then it seemed to sound the same on both sides. Also, is there visual evidence to tell which tensioner is bad? I'm pulling the passenger side valve cover tomorrow. Or do I need to suck it up and change both?
Thanks again to everyone!

[Widebody4.2]

When you pull the cover you should be able to see the chain all loose and sloppy

[khalimadeath]

I checked, but there were no codes. So, if it is the chain tensioner should the sound come from a specific side? At first I thought it was the drivers side, but then it seemed to sound the same on both sides. Also, is there visual evidence to tell which tensioner is bad? I'm pulling the passenger side valve cover tomorrow. Or do I need to suck it up and change both?
Thanks again to everyone!

surprised your not getting any misfires. I was misfire like a son of a bitch when mine went out. But like he said check the chain play. Get another Vid or pics. Also Check the plastic guide that it runs along for wear marks.

[whosee]

The engine seems to be running fine except for that rattling sound. I see no slack or play on either chain, nor any wear on the plastic guides. I had another friend come by a he thinks it could be the water pump going out. Could this be the water pump and not the chain tensioners? I am at a loss as to what it could be at this point and my just have to take it to a shop to get this figured out. [:(]

Drivers side:
http://i47.tinypic.com/n2jt6b.jpg


Passenger side:
http://i45.tinypic.com/30nejvn.jpg

[audifirst]

it is hard to see without removing it there is another side of the cam tensioner on the bottom but to check that you need to remove it,
second option put back everything and get Mechanic's Stethoscope and run the engine and listen to where the noise is coming from
but listened to youtube, sounds like there is more noise coming from the passenger side, this could be water pump or the belt tensioner or timing belt tensioner

[audifirst]

there is another youtube similar to yours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdxCmAZ7IDA&feature=related
and he said it was cam chain tensioner

[EuroFreak]

I'm a friend of whosee and just checked this out for him while he's stuck at his job. Took off the timing belt covers and lo and behold the timing belt is totally loose - as in, there is over an inch or more of free belt deflection. So the timing belt tensioner gave out at minimum. Still runs ok, so hopefully no valve damage...

Anyone ever heard of a hydraulic tension just giving out like this? Is there a cause that needs to be addressed first? Or just simply replacing the tensioner (and belt, etc., if its around that time)?

[audifirst]

probably was not replaced when timing belt was done

[redneck truck]

If that was valves hitting pistons, you've got valve damage, period.

[EuroFreak]

Did whole timing belt job and its back to running normally.