on 8/29/03 8:22 AM, John Rodgers at j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET wrote:

> 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

I have done this in the past and it has indeed helped.  However, I am at a
point now (after a cylinder head gasket replacement over the summer) where I
have followed these steps and I still seem to get some abnormal noise
(louder than before) from the engine.  A friend has said it sounds like an
exhaust leak (can't seem to find an obvious one), but I still think there is
some valve noise.  The van runs well, good acceleration, no hesitation...
What would people recommend if the noise doesn't go away ?  I am thinking of
bringing it in to a mechanic and seeing if they can pinpoint a leak
somewhere (there is only so much probing I am willing to do on my back under
a running van on jack stands).  Maybe I'll try MOM again (it is in there
right now).  Any suggestions?

--
Dan Erlandson
Flemington, NJ
> danoer1@eclipse.net
91 VW Vanagon GL 174,000 mi
99 VW Passat 111,000 mi