What you might be hearing is some lifter noise, though you should
probably hear it when the engine's cold as well.  I don't believe
mains rattle when they're worn, rather they make a deeper pounding
sound upon acceleration.  It would be interesting to determine the
crank thrust play (fore and aft), which is typically a determinant of
overall main bearing condition.  Can't remember if you can easily
check this on T-4 engines, or not.  Rod bearings typically emit a
higher pitched rattle upon deceleration, and I don't quite remember
how wrist pins leave their telltale marks.  I'd just try some red cap
Mobil 1 15W50 (I think that's their weight), to see if that helps
quiet down the lifters.

I haven't wrenched on VWs in over 15 years, so that's all my fleeting
memory can conjure up for now.  Good luck.

On 5/20/06, neil <goofymuso@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> An engine bearing noise question. (yes did search
> archives for this one  :) I'll try to be brief  ;)
>
> Warm restart; sometimes bearing rattle (main?) until
> oil light goes out. Oil light flickers 1 or 2 seconds
> but goes out/stays off. I let it idle til sound goes
> away before revving/putting load on engine.

Casey
Olympia, WA
Biodiesel: "I drive in a persistent vegetative state"
'87 300TD intercooler #22 (214k)
'84 300D (212k)
Gashuffer:
'89 Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition (187K)