slapping noise on start of 2000 V6

I have 2000 passat v6 that makes slapping noises when started after sitting overnight. Sounds kind of like a belt slapping against a plastic cover or something. It persists for a few seconds and then goes away, sort of like hydraulic lifters. Its always done this and I never did anything about it. Is this normal? What is it? Is it something that I should fix? The other day I tried to start it. It turned over once. Then on the second try I just get a whine from the starter and doesn't turn over. Could something be jammed as a result of the slapping noise? I haven't dug into it yet to see whats going on.

I saw another post for something about a noise related to a hydraulic tensioner on a 1.8T engine during startup. Does the V6 have some similar design? Does anyone know whats involved to fix it, if so?