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Subject:type 4 engine noise(long)
From:Paul Wies
Date:Tue, 19 Aug 2003 19:43:36 EDT

My 82 engine noise is starting to bother me more than normal.  FWIW this is
my 4th Bus with a type 4 engine in it so I am aware what a healthy engine
sounds like and even an unrebuilt one with 205K.

Anyway this engine was rebuilt by a semi-local German only shop in 2001.
Receipt says "engine rebuilt with new German heads, pistons, cylinders, oil pump,
bearings"

Owner drove it 1000 miles then parked it until I got it 6 months ago.  Never
started it in that 2 year period.  I went and looked at it, noticed a vacuum
line off, reattached it, put in fresh battery, and it started and idled great.

It immediately sounded like the lifters for #2 were not pumped up, so we took
it for a very easy test drive.  By the end of the test drive the lifters
pumped up and all was sounding 100%.  Bought it and have been driving it every day
50 miles per day since.

Compression is 120 even in all 4.  No smoke ever, has not used even a
teaspoon of oil in 4 months.  Starts and idles immediately, oil light goes out
immediately.  Runs the best I could imagine it to for 67 hp.

It has a funny noise I've never experienced.  Barely noticeable just idling
at a light, but noticeable in a drive thru line echoing off the building.
*VERY* noticeable if you shift into Park after the commute home.  You can still
hear the type 4 purr to it, but it has a knocking coming from #2 cylinder area.

I have not yet pulled the VC.  With my other type 4's that were hydraulic I
never did either other than to replace the VC gaskets.  If I pull the VC what
am I looking for?
I am familiar with valve adjustments.

If one of you gurus heard the engine running on the phone could you have a
better idea?  I'd be glad to call someone so they could hear it.  The rebuilder
is not so local
so I can not really take it to them.

Your thoughts are much appreciated
Paul
'82 GL
Orlando

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