My 84 Westy also suffers from lifter clatter when the oil level is just
a bit off the high mark or if the van is parked on a slant over night.
It always goes away after a 10-15 min. drive, but it is very annoying.
The weird thing is that I can let the van sit in the garage for weeks
and no problem with the lifters as long as the oil level is at the top
mark. Any connecting to a slight oil leak from the middle of the crank
case or worn valve guide seals (exhaust blows smoke sometimes after a
steep, long decent at high revs.)? It has 141K on the engine, so I
guess that would not be unusual.

KeithO

On Jul 19, 2005, at 10:33 AM, John Rodgers wrote:

> Don Spence wrote:
>
>> I've been plagued with a noisy lifter for the last week or so. (though
>> I drive the westy infrequently)  So today I tracked down some MMO  (
>> it's a rare commodity in Canada) recalling it being touted as the cure
>> for such an affliction. Well I bought it and the clatter stopped
>> almost
>> immediately even though I didn't put any MMO into the crankcase.
>>
>> So, please refresh my memory... what do I do with the MMO re valve
>> clatter or other Vanagon ills??
>>
>> TIA
>> Don
>>
>>
> I like Jim Felder's response to your question!!!
>
> What's necessary is to accomplish several things together to tackle and
> eliminate the problem. Mann or Mahle Oil filter, proper grade oil - I
> much prefer the synthetics and use Mobile One 15W50 - regular oil
> changes. Drive at least every other day to insure the lifters remain
> pumped up. MMO run through before an oil change.
>
> Infrequent or long periods of not drivng the vehicle is almost a
> guarantee of the lifters going flat and having valve clatter on
> start-up.
>
> Good luck.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>