If the noise is metallic sounding, you may have a loose valve seat. If
not, it can be a head seal that burned through. Do another compression
and leak down test to determine if there is a compression problem. If it
is the gasket at the top of the cylinder, than you have to check the
case for straightness as I found that is the usual cause of the head
gasket failing.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Paul Wies
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 7:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: type 4 engine noise(long)

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