The clattering after an oil change is because the hydraulic lifters have
drained and need to be represurized.  The same thing will occur if you leave
your van sitting for a few weeks.  No harm is actually occurring to your
engine.  Just make sure after a few minutes it stops.

The advantage to using hydraulic lifters is we do not have to adjust our
valves every 3K miles :-).

Paul

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Lockwood" <Jshopper1@AOL.COM>
Newsgroups: groupstudy.vanagon
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2000 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: Oil changing engine damage

> Mark,
>
> First, take a deep breath and relax.  You did no damage to your engine by
changing the oil yourself.  I don't think that you took any miles off of the
engine by not filling the new oil filter.
>
> As the original owner of my 91 Carat, I have performed oil changes by
myself since new (every 3000 miles or so).  My Vanagon now has 176,000 miles
on the original engine (head leaks sealed at 100,000, no other engine work
required).  It was not until a year ago when I joined this list did I hear
of filling the new oil filter before installing it.  Ignorance is bliss as
they say.
>
> All in all, not a bad idea.  But I have never done it, and my engine has
176,000 miles on it.  I know of the clatter sound that you described, but I
do not think that any harm came to your engine.
>
> Good luck with your future oil changes.
>
>
> Dennis Lockwood
> 91 Carat
> Original Owner
>