Andy, the ticking is the famous (infamous?) Vanagon Lifter Syndrome.

1) Cause: hydraulic lifter leakdown.

2) How it works: The lifter is fed oil through a series of oil galleries
in the case, crank, and pushrod tubes. Part of this oil supply system is
the oil filter. If the oil filter is not the right one, the pressure
relief valve spring pressure in the filter is not sufficiently strong to
hold oil in the galleries while the engine is shut down. As a result the
oil leaks out of the galleries back into the crankcase, and in the
process drains the oil from the lifter(s). When you start up the engine,
you start it with one or more lifters without adequate oil to maintain
proper clearances, and until the engines runs long enough to pump the
lifter back up, you have valve train clatter.

3) Cure (most of the time):  These recommendations are the result of
accumulate Vanagon List Member experience over time. Although anecdotal,
they work.
A) Change the oil to a good brand of 20W50 wt dinosaur oil, or 15W50wt
Mobil 1 synthetic. I'm currently running Mobil 1. It has reduced my oil
consumption. But I ran Texaco Havoline until recently. Proper viscosity
is essential
B) Install a Mann or Mahle oil filter ( available through our list
vendors . maybe through your FLAPS). These two filters are about the
only ones that have the proper relief valve spring tension.
C) Add 6 oz of Marvels Mystery Oil to the crankcase oil
D) Change oil regularly

The above actions nearly always eliminates the valve clatter.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Andy Morse wrote:

>86 syncro, once in a while especially after not driving it for a while I get
>a lot of a abnormal ticking from the valve cover area, eventually it goes
>away. What's the cure?
>
>I put in the capacitor which will hopefully cure the horrible stuttering
>problem, haven't had a chance to check it out yet, hopefully tomorrow.
>
>
>TIA,
>Andy
>99 NB Turbo
>95 BMW GS 1100
>93 BMW K 75
>86 VW Syncro
>71 VW Westy
>65 BMW R69S grandfather's
>Can't seem to pass up a deal....
>
>
>