Sounds to me (pun intended) like it might be more-or-less "normal" leakdown
of hydraulic lifters.   If it's a clattering that quickly goes away (like,
in the first minute) and in all other respects the vehicle drives OK, then
I'd guess it's that and nothing more.  It's a little puzzling that you don't
hear this on startup in the morning because lifters that will bleed down
will frequently do it overnight.

Hydraulic lifters that bleed down will give a fairly mechanical "clatter"
while dieseling (pre-detonation) tends to have a somewhat "softer" sound,
kind of like someone dropping marbles in an empty coffee can.  Also, if it's
just one or two lifters that bleed down the sound will be more
"directional", i.e. you might characterize it coming from, say, the #3
cylinder.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
---------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "mary graham" <marymontana@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 9:02 AM
Subject: Need engine work in Little Rock/Memphis

> i'm on the road for the summer, first real trip with my 85 camper.  i've
> noticed lately that after an hour or so of driving and then sitting for a
> while, on restart she starts to sound a bit like a diesel.  after sitting
> overnight she sounds normal.  no lights flashing.  she was a little less
> than a pint low on oil after the drive from dallas to hot springs (plus
> additional meandering miles).
>