another Timing Belt done wrong, ticking noise

[Goran]

I had my timing belt changed last October (100k miles) after a noise which was diagnosed as possibly the water pump (which Audi didnt bother to change when they did the TB at 75k).
Since December there was this slight ticking noise coming from the engine bay, driver's side bank, which has been driving me crazy.
It has lately got slightly noisier, so I have been searching the forums to figure out what it is.

To cut a long story short, I concluded its either the cam chain tensioner, or the timing belt was put on wrong. So yesterday I opened up the timing belt covers and guess what, I saw those tell-tale tip ex marks Ben warned us about.
Here is a youtube of the noise (sorry its at night), at second 0:14 I moved to the other bank where there was no ticking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTF47DCHxdk

Could it be that local mechanic put the timing belt on without the cam clamp or crank bolt?
Also further proof they didnt use the clamp is that when the big holes on the cam sprockets are on the inside, as per Elsa, the tip ex marks are on the bottom of the sprocket. Unless it was the Audi dealer that put on the tippex when he did the belt for the firs time 4 years ago? Do they normally change the sprockets for new ones?
Ben heeeeeeeelp!!!

[Just_Ben]

Tip ex marks a sure sign of someone doing half a job!!
Ticking could be due to loose belt or a cover touching somewhere. Needs checking matey

[ainarssems]

Tip ex marks does not necessarily mean that it was not done properly with the locking tools. Many places choose to put a marks on before taking cambelt off to have a reference point especially if heads or camshafts come off. But since they don't align up with the big holes in position they most likely did not have locking tools

[Goran]

apologies to my mechanic, or rather his assistant, he used the proper tools.
The silly Audi dealer 4 years ago used tip-ex and changed the belt without the cam locking tool.

Ticking noise is that carbon filter thingy which happens to be on the driver's side.
I feel embaressed jumping to conclusions like that.

[Just_Ben]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Tip ex marks does not necessarily mean that it was not done properly with the locking tools. Many places choose to put a marks on before taking cambelt off to have a reference point especially if heads or camshafts come off. But since they don't align up with the big holes in position they most likely did not have locking tools

My point is that the cam pulleys are removed and spin freely relative to the lockled cam shafts themselves when fitting the belt so if you were to put a mark on they would not mean anything so are completely uselss.
trust me, if there's tip ex marks on the cam pulleys, it was done wrong!

Glad Goran that you found no issue, that's great news. The solenoid for the Charcoal canister does indeed tick away merrily once the engine has reached operating temp.

[Goran]

Thanks Ben for your advice, its a scary thought that I have been driving around for 4 years with a badly done belt. Just another example of 'dont go to the Audi dealer'.