The cam chain tension can't really be ascertained just by looking at it, as the tensioner is operated by oil pressure when the engine is running. At this point, I think you would be well advised to have a professional check your oil pressure.

In fact pretty much nothing can be ruled out just by looking. You've mentioned that the cam area doesn't look especially sludgy or whatever, but that doesn't tell you how the oil pan or oil pick up looks, so start over.

Everything you've described so far, sounds precisely like either a failed cam chain tensioner or else low oil pressure causing the cam chain tensioner to not operate correctly.

I don't know the level of your mechanical skills, but it might be a good idea to at least get a diagnosis from an Audi dealership or specialist. Try to minimize the use of your car until you get this sorted out, as you're likely making things worse and ultimately more expensive to fix.

 

Should I replace the cct anyway? And just take it back off if it doesn't solve the problem?? Everything people said about a cct failing sounds like my car but that chain is tight as can be

 

And by the way I am decent with cars, and my father was a mechanic so he knows a lot, but not a whole lot about German cars

 

Check this out:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b5-...2/#post1403852

Been saying to replace your CCT for over a month. Just do it. With these cars, unless you want to pay for a dealership to diagnose problems, sometimes you just gotta throw parts at them until the problem is solved.

 

It's very rapid clicking, and my dad says he swears its the lifters but he doesn't know much about German cars

 

If its lifters, you have a considerable sludge issue. Change the CCT. It's a good culprit for your issue and if by some reason it's not a fix, you're still ahead of the game because you've now averted a future failure. And the chain may be tight as it sits now but if you hand-crank the engine you'll see the tension varies throughout the revolution.

 

I doubt I have a huge sludge issue, if I did it would be somewhat visible under the valve cover. I guess I'll just go ahead and replace it

 

Ok so I ran it today an really listened to it and the click sounds like a chain. So I'm going to go ahead and re-disassemble my car and go ahead and replace it

 

Replaced it and it still clicks, I havnt driven it yet but ill post back after I drive it so I will know of it gets work

 

So the noise isn't as loud but it's still noticeable after deiving