nope increases with speed as far as i can remember, thats why the cam chain tensioner seemed like it was the cause, but apparently its not. if its an exhaust leak then that would be great, just a good excuse to get a new mani when i throw on my ko4 and testpipe

 

" increases with speed " and its a clicking/ticking sound, have you had any work on the CV joints and the tie wraps haven't been cut ( electrical ties ) used to clamp the CV boot

 

no no its not loud enough to hear inside the cabin. but standing outside the car it is noticable, or if you pop the hood it is VERY apparent.

 

it also seems to get louder as the engine heats up. thats why i questioned oil pressure. i run mobile1 5w30, with a bosch big ol' filter. i didn't notice the sound until a couple of oil changes ago, it just kind of came out of nowhere.

 

so car standing-engine at idle and you can hear the noise then its definitely exhaust manifold ( possibly a broken bolt or bad gasket or both) also the manifold could have a crack in it which would get louder with the heat on it ( the gap will expand ) but good luck and if its the manifold consider having it welded it will be cheaper

 

thank you good sir i will have to check that out. i'm really starting to doubt my mechanics trouble-shooting abilities. maybe i'll try and throw a sound clip up here for you and see if you still think the same thing.

 

Have someone with a real vagcom scan for codes. Could be one of the pumps (eg secondary air pump), etc.

 

hey avant80 & co.

how about my oil pump being the culprit? the mechanic I used did some phoning around and quite a few people seemed to think it was my pickup line/oil pump on its way out. this would explain the top of the engine not getting enough oil and making the valve train noise would it not?

 

^^ bump

 

this may be a long shot, but on my vw gti i had a annoying clicking noise that sounds alot like what your problem is and turns out to be my valves were sticking. i just ran down to discount auto and picked up a bottle of "valve medic" took two bottles but fixed it right up. i say for $5.00 it couldn't hurt to try.