It is simple...once you get everything else out of the way

Just a suggestion, but next time I suggest recording just audio with something other than a video camera (maybe a laptop with a mic or something) and either posting the uncompressed wav file or an mp3 file. I find that flash and windows media compression have crappy sound so it may not even sound accurate.

But as for finding the problem, you should use a mechanic's stethoscope. It'll isolate the area you're listening to.

 

I doubt it, and, no power loss.
No a misfire would make the engine shutter/shake, etc.and I would have a flashing CEL. It would especially be noticeable while driving, and as I said, I have NO driveability issues. Read the "Read this if you have a CEL" sticky.
The noise that I describecomes threw clear in the audio form the camera, and then some. Can you seriously not hear it ?
Ive isolated the problem as coming from under the valve cover. I cant very easily take the valve cover off and run the engine to pin point it further. Im sort of waiting for someone to come along and say "yeah i had that problem, and this is the solution...." before I go taking the valve cover off for a closer look, but Ill probably do that tomorrow when I change the oil.

Thanks for the replies

 

Sounds to me like the cam chain tensioner. You can check by taking off the valve cover and start the motor with it off, the chain bounces around and binds on the cam gears. I had a VW traded in at work that I did the used vehicle check in on a few weeks ago that sounded like that only slightly worse.

 

got oil in it??...haha...just jokin man.

that does sound kinda weird, almost like something to do with camshaft/gear....not sure tho, my friends honda had the same noise and it was that the cam "gear" was loose...like loose like a turbo WITH shaftplay...that same type of feeling if you catch my drift..

 

oh see in the video it almost sounded like the engine was shaking. and im sorry i keep forgetting that these cars have idiot lights for all the simple stuff like that. im not used to a car with this much technology(and its only a 99) i kno in my friends r32 golf it made a sound like that and it was just cause he hadnt changed the plugs in a while. anyway since im useless on this subject good luck i hope you can fix it.

 

Its either the water pump or the cam chain tensioner. Ive chased noises that sounded like exhaust leaks and it tuned out to be a idler pulley.
Abad water pump will kind of sound like rod knock when listening to the motor and has been miss-diagnosed for engine overhauls.
A cam chain tensioner will either make it sound like a diesel (more common) or have a fluttering type noise, likeintakeflaps motors sticking (which you don't have)

 

You would totally rule out the cam shaft/bearings?? Would a noisy water pump echo into the intake mani? When I put my ear right up on the cam chain tensioner it sounds fine and makes its own seperate normal noise. Which is the idler pulley? Thanks.

 

I wouldn't totally rule out the cam shaft bearings or lobes as being bad. Ive seen engines get a blocked oil passage and you end up getting a worn cam lobe that gets worse with time.
A noisey water pump will have a lower and slower tone than the one your getting so i would investigate the upper part of the motor first.
First with the engine running, un-plug the electrical connector for the cam chain tensioner and see if the noise changes. If nothing there take out the oil sender on the back of the oil filter housing and install an oil pressure gauge and report the oil pressure numbers at idle, 2 and 4 thousand rpm.
If those numbers check out, remove the valve cover and tap the engine over and check every cam lobe for wear.

 

When my car started making noise, i had it taken in and i was told that it was old age on the cam chain tensioner and that it was nothign to worry about. But mine isnt that loud, and def speeds up when i rev the engine. Sounds just more like noisy valves then yours, did you answer if the noise clicks faster if you give it some gas?? I may have missed that.

 

I didnt know there was an electrical connector for the cam chain tensioner. Ill check all that out. I dont have an oil pressure gauge to hook up though, and what do you mean "tap the engine over?" And by "oil filter housing" are you talking about the oil cooler? Thanks!
I said in the first post that the noise doesnt seem to get louder or faster with engine speed. It seems to get drowned out by the normal sound or the engine revs. I would have revd the engine in the video, but im dbw.