I am curious,
Why does that combination of Oil/Filter fix this?
I understand the viscosity of the oil, but what it is with that brand of
filter that makes it preferable?

Thanks,
Matt

> John,
>
> I'm not familiar with the Aircooled vanagons, but it sounds to me like
> you have the infamous "Vanagon Clattering Valve Lifter Syndrome.".
>
> On the water cooled models with the 1.9L and 2.1 L, the clattering issue
> is addressed by using a 20W50ST oil and a Mahle/Mann oil filter
> specifically. Not shure that would work but certainly investigating it
> would be a worthwhile endeavor. Those are hydraulic lifters in the 81,
> so it is very likely subject to the same leakdown problems, which in the
> WBX engines is addressed as above.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Anonymous Digest wrote:
>
>>Just to pass along something interesting, mine is an 81 air cooled with
>>lots of miles on it. Often when it sits more than a few days, it is one
>>noisy bugger when I start it up, summer or winter, regardless of the oil
>>of choice. Lifters or whatever are really loud.
>>
>>I am used to it, and what I have noticed is that it has sat for about six
>>weeks outside, on a very slight incline in the driveway, nose up. Not a
>>lot of hill, but its enough of an incline to make the basketball games
>>interesting.....
>>
>>Anyway, when I would start it up after sitting on this small tilt, no
>>excessive noise, clatter, or banging. Did it about three or four times in
>>six weeks. Nothing. Sounded just perfect.
>>
>>I put it in the garage a few days ago for the CV joint adventure, and
>> when
>>I started it up today, the racket was back, and the clatter was pretty
>>intense for about fifteen minutes.....
>>
>>The oil level is fine, so it almost looks like, in my case, sitting on a
>>slight incline appears to nearly eliminate the "lifter syndrome" or
>>clattering, or whatever one wishes to call it.
>>
>>Nothing spectacular, but I guess maybe I should get a pair of ramps and
>>park it nose up when its in the garage. Can't really leave it out on the
>>hill, as last year someone shot out the back window....
>>
>>Anyway, just something to say that is not related to the CV joints.
>><shrug>
>>
>>John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

--
Any opinions stated here are my own, otherwise someone else would have
said them.