Jay,

That makes sense.  The other thing I was expecting to hear after I
started up was some valve clatter noise thinking the .006 inch lash
would cause and there was no clatter at all---very quiet as before.
Bob at Boston Engine makes some remarks in his writings to be aware
of this noise as you tune between adjustments.  I plan to readjust
the valves again this weekend, hope its not to soon but I really dont
like the way this engine is running.

Tim

>Run it for a while before re-adjusting the valves.  Just long enough to get
>it warm, but not hot. This will allow the lifters to pump up a little and
>make adjusting easier (more defined zero-lash point).  20-50 oil does not
>flow very well unless it is really warm outside.  The fact that the
>clearance is being lost tells me the lifters are continuing to pump up
>further.  Probably a good sign!
>                                                       Jay
>
>
>
>
>Tim Marciniak <tmarciniak@WI.RR.COM>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 08/29/2002
>09:38:37 PM
>
>Please respond to tmarciniak@WI.RR.COM
>
>Sent by:    Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
>
>
>To:    vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>cc:
>Subject:    Losing valve lash just after adjustment-why?
>
>
>Just did a compression test and two cylinders were low @ 100 and 106.
>Heads done about 20,000 miles ago by a VW mechanic (not dealer).  Van
>has ran pretty well since them but lately I have developed a lumpy
>idle and low manifold vacuum (10-12).  I researched everything I
>could find on the age old valve lifter issue including a call to Bob
>at Boston Engine were I purchased my heads from.  Followed his
>instructions and adjusted the valves to .006 inch valve lash.  I
>adjusted both intake and exhaust when engine cold.  Just to be really
>thorough I rechecked them almost immediately after I adjusted them
>(did not rotate the crank yet) and I swear I was back to zero
>clearance so I readjusted again but did not recheck again cause i
>wanted to finish and the mosquitos were really bad last nite.  I also
>checked all the valves for clearance before I adjusted and I could
>not get a .006 inch feeler gauge in on any of them--I am suspected my
>mechanic may of installed these heads the old way (preloading) and I
>am starting to see problems  now.  My question is why did I lose this
>.006 inch clearance just moments after I made the adjustment?
>
>I did start the engine up after adjusting all the valves and it ran
>pretty much the same, initially the manifold vacuum was about 14 but
>then dropped to 11-12 after the engine warmed up and idle was lumpy.
>
>Could it be the lifters are doing something strange?  I am running
>20W-50 for the summer.
>
>Tim
>--

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