It sounds like your hydraulic lifters need to be pumped up better.  We use a
cup of Marvel Mystery oil, added to the the engine oil and it gets pretty
soon as quiet as new.
Zoltan

---- Original Message -----
From: "'80 Westy Pokey" <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2001 12:27 PM
Subject: Help! Engine Tapping Noise in Air Cooled Westy

> Help! I started Pokey last night and she is making an unfamiliar tapping
noise that appears to have come on all at once.
>
> The noise is coming from the passenger side rear most part of the engine
(or if you're standing with the hatch open looking in it is to your right,
and close to you not on the other "far" side of the engine).
>
> It is quite rythmic and increases or decreases depending on the revs. It
almost sounds like the license plate is loose and it is rattling against the
body (its not, but if you've ever heard that... that is what it sounds like
just slower).
>
> Last year the engine had a compression test: 130, 130, 125, 130. Timing
was right on and there were no problems with the Air Mass Meter and engine
hoses. The alternator belt is new two years ago. I have not driven her too
much since then.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Gronski
> '80 Westy "Pokey" - SLOPOKEY
> '87 Chevrolet Sprint - Ice Racer
> '91 Pontiac Firefly - Convertable
> www.vanagon.org & .ca
> www.gronski.com, .org, & .ca
> www.nineeleven.org & .ca