Right side of the engine bay is where the transmission lies. Does the sound continue if you press the clutch? Do the test.

Since your car is a N/T the tranny should be on the drivers side. Is your ticking coming from the under the valve cover? It could be lifter tick since it goes away after warmed up. I have a turbo 4G63 and they are nortorious for lifter tick. Believe it or not, Engine Restore works really well for queiting noisy lifters. You could give it a try if your ticking is your lifters.

Mello said:

Since your car is a N/T the tranny should be on the drivers side.

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Ha!, should have started by looking at the man's Profile.

His profile says it's a spyder, which if I'm not mistaken is a 4g64 and in the same orientation as a 4g63 car.

Lots of higher mileage engines knock on a cold start. I've even heard a few brand new factory engines in new cars that seemed loud to me on cold starts, Nissans and LS engines especially. I haven't heard your noise but, If it's only on cold starts I wouldn't worry too much.

Tranny is on the passenger side. Just started it up and it lasted probably 45 seconds then quieted right down. It does sound like it's coming from the valve cover. Maybe I'll give the engine restore a shot. Tried pushing in the clutch and the noise continued.

Run some sea foam through it, this should help for a while. I wouldn't worry both of tsi and gst tick for a minute upon cold start.