Tapping sound - front drivers side engine

Something I noticed today... it was cold out and I started my truck to warm up. It was making a very distinct tapping sound. It wasn’t the clanging type of sound I’ve heard in some videos of the timing chain tensioner, but a distinct tapping like the sound you’d get if you tapped the bottom of two spoons together. It sped up as the engine rpms increased, but couldn’t be heard in the cab with the door closed. It was not intermittent at all.

it went away after driving a bit and didn’t come back. It seemed to come from the front drivers side of my 5.7L. The truck runs just fine otherwise. Should I worry or just chalk it up to a noisy engine? It’s a 2017 with about 40k on the clock and has had very regular oil changes.

any ideas?

 

Some say it’s the vvt. There are a lot of threads about it. Is it a diesel engine sound?

 

Not really, it a very clear tap,tap,tap... I’ve owned diesels...dont think it’s like that.