all right Andy .......
sounds like you're on top of it now.
would be good to check compression I'd say.

I sometimes add Marvel Mystery Oil as a cleaner to the oil.
I've had good luck with CD-2 hyd, lifter cleaner also.

and........very short periods of operation will make the lifters get noisy.
Like to back the van out of someplace, but not drive it anywhere.
Do that a few times and they can get noisy for a while, until you drive it
again a nice distance, so try not to do that.
Vanagons really like a fully warmed up driving cycle, and really in the
winter for sure.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Morse" <andysings@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: Hydraulic valve lifters?

> Thanks for the advice. I did the Bentley method first with two turns
> before I read these posts. I accidentally went to start the van with the
> dist. cap lying on the side (so I could see the rotor while I was turning
> the engine). I think I fried the cap and rotor because the van ran
> horribly. Then I read the posts, once all cooled down I did the 1/2 turn
> instead, put the cap back on (duh) it ran better but it still is miss
> firing . I'm going to replace the cap and rotor to be sure, they don't
> look the best anyway.
>
> I originally went in to adjust the valves( it is such a habit with the
> beemers and 71 VW) because #4 would clatter a lot for about 20 minutes and
> then free up. One thing I did notice as poorly as the Vanagon was running
> is that after the 1/2 turn, #4 wasn't clattering anymore.
>
> Andy
>
>
>
>
>
> .