Another possibility is that the variocam actuator loses oil pressure over time because of the worn/rigid O-rings inside. It takes quite a few revolutions of the crank to re-pressurize them. Does it rattle every time you turn on he engine or only when you don`t use it for long? I think for a `98 a couple second rattling is not the end of the world after a 2-3 month resting.
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