Don..
are you using a diesel vanagon oil filter ?
( as opposed to a jetta/golf one on your inline four jetta-based gasoline
engine mounted in diesel vanagon configuration .)

Sine the engine is mounted DV style I always use a diesel vanagon oil filter
..
whether diesel or gas in any inline four mounted at 50 degrees ala diesel
vanagon )

and I just use the mahle filters..
no problems ever.
the oil cooler device between oil filter flange and oil fitler ..
can't imagine having that on there is a factor at all.   All diesel vanagons
use those. It belongs on there for sure.

re clattery lifters..
a few seconds worth on start up doesn't bother me very much.

I would think about the oil itself regarding lifter noise .
either a different brand/viscosity ..
or ....a good hydraulic lifter cleanaer ..CD-2 is one I use.
or even marvel mystery oil..
but 'some treatment' in the oil for hyd. lifter cleaning.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Stevens" <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2010 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: Oil filter question

> There is an "oil filter bible", much like the Oil Bible that gets passed
> around
> that is a very detailed study of ALL filters. The Fram was rated as one of
> the least effective because of both the paper and # of folds used in them.
> And yes, the Mahle spring tension for drain back resistance seems to be
> the most effective.
>
> bob
>
> On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 12:33 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  I see the Mahle oil filter is what everyone says to use, but I have been
>> using Fram or whatever I can get easily.  I have always changed my oil
>> more
>> frequently than most.  Until I swapped motors, only if my motor sat for a
>> few days would my lifters click on start up....now they seem to click
>> every
>> time for perhaps 10 seconds or so...not so good, I imagine.  Is the Mahle
>> filter supposed to help with this...some kinda drain-back valve in it or
>> something?
>>
>>