1999 Ford Escort Excessive valvetrain noise

Engine Mechanical problem
1999 Ford Escort 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 64k miles

I have this 1999 ford escort wagon 4cyl. Auto that's been running only slightly rough but today started running bad stalling etc. Now it the sounds like no oil is getting upstairs in the head, pulled valve cover off seems to be getting oil when cranking over the motor no signs of bottom end knock. When the motor starts it's sounds like when you first start up a motor thats been sitting a long time with out priming the cyls. With oil first. Could the cam sensor be bad, computer, or signal to ecm/pmc? The sound is very loud!
any sound advice would be great!
Thanks

side note: mathiaso answer, I think you missed the nail head and hit your thumb on your answer I don't think apply's! The noise is much louder than what your thinking (no offense). This happen instantly. No mention of scan codes nor bad sensors. Where is the info you were gonna send, expensive.


(it does not look clear so I'm sending it to your email)
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