What oil filter and what weight oil are you using. These two items have
a definite effect on the classic "Vanagon Clattering Lifter Syndrome".
If you have not done so, change the oil to a 20W50 wt oil or to Mobil I
15W50 synthetic. Also install a new Mann or Mahle oil filter at the same
time. This may well eliminate the clattering problem. If not, then you
may very well have a mechanical problem beyond the "syndrome".

Good luck,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Kun Chang wrote:

>The light tapping noise on starting the engine been going on for a while, but
>this time it just keep tapping very loud, and no sign of quiting. I have try
>the MMO trick, did not work. Because of the different tapping pattern this
>time, I am hesitate to drive it on the highway for 10 - 20 minutes, afraid
>that too much heat might burn the head gasket. I have therefore decide to fix
>the source by replacing the possible collapsed lifter. It doesn't seems to be
>too difficult to do. I have the Bentley manual to refer to and have obtained
>lots of information from the Archieve. However, there are several simple
>things just cannot be found in the book.
>
>1. When I turn the cranshaft to set cylinders 1, 2,3, and 4 to TDC, how do I
>know which valves/lifters belong to which cylinders?
>2. My vanagon has auto trans, do I turn the center large pulley bolt to
>rotate the cranshaft with the transmission in neutral? This bolt is really
>big.
>3. The manual says rotate cranshaft 180 degree, and adjust the next cylinder.
>Does it mean clockwise direction? Can I judge my watching the distributor
>rotor?
>
>Any suggestion will be really appreciated.
>
>Albert
>
>
>