Sounds like a lifter that bleed down and is resisting pumping up.
Probably a sticky ball valve. Allow engine to idle and warm up. Then
drive van at various speeds until it clears up. After the noise stops,
avoid short cycling the engine, (starting for short periods of time such
as moving it in driveway) and you should be okay. If it continues,
locate the bad lifter and replace the single lifter using a 2-piece push
rod tube.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Matthew Libby
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 5:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Guess That Sound!!!!!!!

Somy 2.1 is making a tapping sound.  My local mechanic friend says it
sounds like a valve.  What does this indicate?, what can I do about it?
Otherwise van runs fine, burns no oil, good power, stumbles a little bit
at higher rpms with no load.  Any ideas?

Matt

89 GL Westy