ya i know that asking what this noise is online is kinda hard to diagnose...
but i have an 02 f4i with maybe 10400miles on it.
and lately ive noticed at around 10k i can hear a vibrating type noise..
i reved it and held it at 10k in neutral and put my head by the valve cover and it sounds like its comming from there, on either side.
its only at 10k rpm, if i go higher or lower it will go away.
i have had my cam chain adjusted about 1-2k miles ago(ape cct)
would valves need to be adjusted at 10k miles?
if i need them adjusted, i will probally just have the shop replace the valves, springs, clean up the ports a bit, and add a new cam chain just so i get all that done, for piece of mind.
i will try to get my friends video camera and record the noise the best i can, hoping the mic on the cam is decent.

 

valve clearance check isn't until 16K.
most likely it's your cctl needing to be adjusted, but can't be sure.
could be just normal valve chatter.
try a thicker oil and see if it goes away.
no need to replace the valves, springs, etc...just the shims.

 

gotcha, im running 10w40, step it up to 10w50?

i dont think its the cctl, there was a noise before and after i had it adjusted that noise went away. i just dont want anything comming looose in the motor ha.

 

LOL...it won't.
just know that it could be valve chatter...mine are all in spec but have always been chattery.
want to try pulling off the covers and checking them? it's very straight foward!

 

ill look in the shop manual i have. is the valve cover gasket re-useable?

 

yes, it's the hard rubber type, not the soft cardboard type. you can use new or reuse the old. i reused mine on the last one and it is fine. one of the only 'hard rubber' types not to reuse is the one for the fuel pump.