At 04:10 PM 4/26/2001, Robert Capra wrote:
>without major disassembly". After a talk with the mechanic, the service
>manager admits reluctantly that - yes, you can do a replacement with the
>collapsible pushrod tube, but they never hold a seal.  It was an
>uncomfortable moment because I caught him in a lie and he knew it.

Never hold a seal...this guy goes down fighting. :-(

>My question to the list is : Can the hydraulic valve lifter be broken if the
>valve quiets down after 15 minutes of operation?

I don't see how.  And you might look into an OEM oil filter and maybe a bit
of Marvel Mystery Oil to help out with the lifter clatter.

>Isn't this just normal for
>a motor with 150K miles?

I don't know.

>Would a broken lifter be able to cause the very
>noticeable cutting out and surging problem?

I don't see how.  I don't even see how a lifter could "break" under normal
circumstances.  Get sticky, yes.  Depending how it stuck it could fail to
open the valve to specified height, or even conceivably open it too far/not
let it close entirely.  That last might cause some expensive trouble with
valves and seats, I guess.  But it ought to be consistent trouble, not what
you're talking about.

>  I thought the problem was with
>the AFM or the injectors and an experienced mechanic with access to the
>proper analyzer could come up with an answer, but I feel I just wasted $180.

I think you just spent $180 for the valuable information that your dealer
is a putz...expensive but worth it considering.

david

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"