On 4 Nov 2003 at 20:39, TinkerMan <tinkerman007@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> --- karen davis <yosemite333@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> > I finally got one on ebay.  For those of you who
> > own, any problems leaving
> > one in the lighter for 3 months?  It won't
> > overcharge will it?  Any advice?
>
> IMO, the more serious problem is of not starting the
> motor for such a long time. I was exactly in your
> situation (well, not 3 months but 2-3 weeks) and aside
> from the battery discharge problem (from various
> circuits connected even when ignition is off) I found
> that the valve lifters started knocking badly. From
> the list I found that it's better to start the motor
> at least once a week until it heats up, and that also
> takes care of the battery discharge issue.

I think it depends more on the oil you use, at least in my experience. Since
switching to synthetic oil, I have had the van parked as long as 3 months
without starting (battery disconnected), and only get a few seconds of lifter
noise upon startup. Mobil 1 is ok, but I could detect some lifter noise
returning after ~10-12k kms. With Amsoil 15w40 Marine & Diesel oil, I
went 2 years and close to 20k kms with no lifter noises before I finally
decided I better change it. One year, I tried Castrol GTX 20w50, and lifter
noise was apparent after sitting for more than a few days, or if I took *any*
short trips, it would take 15-20 minutes or more to get rid of the noise!
Engine is a 2.1L with 220k kms and 12 years on a VW rebuild.

ymmv of course... --
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
'88 Westy 375k
'85 Jetta D 263k
'85 Jetta TD 482k (retired)
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