H6 EZ30 Engine Tap/Noise

[K19]

Hi All, 

I've posted this on the UK Legacy forum, posting here to see if anyone has any ideas. Taken a couple of videos of the noise. Its pretty clear and loud on the first (when the engine is warm). more difficult to hear when engine is cold when I took the aux belt off but its still there.

Doesn't sound like its coming from the front of the engine (Timing Chain), sounds more valvey, but its strange that a valve would be loose since as they wear they should get tighter? Any ideas would be awesome.

Engine has done 143k miles, so part of me is thinking it would be easy to buy a second hand engine and put that in, rather than pull the one I have apart (especially if i'm paying a garage)

Aux Belt on - Warm Engine:

https://youtu.be/rGZXQkFyZZg

Aux Belt off - Cold Engine:

https://youtu.be/C-tbSQzrjqg

Thanks