startup clicking noise??

[biddybengbeng]

i have a noise that only happens occasionally, not all the time. about 30-40% of the time. it sounds like a very loud ticking/clicking sort of noise coming from the engine. it does it maybe 4 or 5 ticks, lasting about 2 seconds at the very most, and stops. it's not lifter tick. my 1g had that, and it's a different noise. this is much louder. it seems to mostly do it when i start the car when the engine is cold. other than that the car runs great. pulls hard and strong. it is a 95 tsi. basic mods, nothing drastic. mostly stock. it doesn't seem to affect anything else, but it bugs me. any ideas?

thanks

 

[Defiant]

Welp, check your harmonic balancer.