I am trying to figure out an engine noise and whether or not it is a serious issue or not.

i recently bought this car, it has 196k miles. The symptoms i get happen mainly when cold, and sound like valve clatter to me. It happens at first start for 1-2 seconds and is sometimes better or worse, after its warm the engine is super quiet and usually doesnt clatter again until its been sitting 2 or more hours, and then its "usually" not as loud as first start.

i changed the oil right after i got the car, i used full synthetic napa 5w30 and a napa silver oil filter. Then i pulled the p.s. pump and cleaned the oil control valve filter which was in need of cleaning, testing the valve itself determined it needed to be replaced, with a clean filter and a new ocv solenoid it is still making that noise

I am hoping somebody can help me out, here is a video of the noise i get, it does get louder and more pronounced at times then the video shows.

https://youtu.be/aTRI7THpLMc

 

The engine is known for cold start chatter.

Use a section of hose as a stethoscope to narrow down the location of the noise. Check in the areas of: intake manifold, intake camshaft timing gear, valve cover area, firewall side of timing chain cover.

 

Thank you for letting me know the places to check, i have an automotive stethoscope so i will use it to track down the noise location and let you know what i find, may take a while as it only lasts a second or so, but i will update as soon as i find something