Try backing off the throttle at a constant speed in order to unload the rod
bearings - slightly on the gas, slightly off - and listen.

That will show a bad wrist pin or big end bearing.  The wrist pin is more
metallic/high frequency, the big end bearing somewhat lower in pitch.

Good luck Neil!

On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 1:38 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Right. Ok. Got it.   :)
>
> I"ll try the old "brake pedal down, accelerator down, clutch half way
> up" trick and see if the sound gets louder. It's a subtle noise. I too
> thought "rod bearing". Had van at Petersons in Pt. Angeles. WA. Of
> course it didn't make the sound. His description of a rod bearing
> going south was similar to yours.
>
> It's running fine. Maybe I'll put in 15w40 next change when I get home.
>
> Thanks for the help!
>
> Neil in Langlois OR
>
>
>
> On 11/1/10, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> > What I'm saying is that both Golfs spun  fine with 15W40 oil at -20
> degrees
> > C.
> >
> > Main bearings don't 'clack',  they pound in a really low-frequency way.
>  It
> > almost sounds like you're describing a bad rod bearing...can you induce
> it
> > by unloading the rod?
> >
> > Jake
> >
> > On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 2:58 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Right on Jake. I should look into the larger capacity filter. Thanks.
> >>
> >> Am just south of Lincoln City OR. All good (except weather) but have
> >> to wonder if the subtle intermittent low pitched clack is a main
> >> bearing or related due to using 10w/30. This only happens after a hard
> >> run up long hills, hotter weather.
> >>
> >> The starter wiring is fine. It spins real good with the thinner oil.
> >> Only spun slower when dead cold w/15w40.
> >>
> >> NEil.
> >>
> >> On 10/31/10, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > Hey Neil, maybe you should check your starter wiring.  I used to run
> >> 15W40
> >> > in the 1987 (486,000 km!) and then the 1990 Golf all year round here
> >> > with
> >> no
> >> > problems.
> >> >
> >> > I used to use the Bosch filters, then the Mann - always in the diesel
> >> size
> >> > for the extra capacity.
> >> >
> >> > Jake
> >> >
> >> > On Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 2:04 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Don. FWIW, I'm using a Mahle or Mann... think it's Mann, and 10/30.
> >> >> Was using 15/40 but too thick it seems. Especially in colder months.
> >> >> (cranking engine cold)
> >> >>
> >> >> Dennis Haynes has written lots about oil and filters.    :)
> >> >>
> >> >> Neil.
> >> >>
> >> >> On 10/31/10, 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?
> >> >> >
> >> >> >   For complete disclosure...I have an inline VW motor, gas.
>  Mounted
> >> as
> >> >> > a
> >> >> > diesel at 50degrees.  I kept the same head, unchanged and
> undisturbed
> >> >> when I
> >> >> > recently changed over to an ABA block, which also has the newer
> style
> >> >> > oil/water interchange filter mounting.  Dunno if that changes
> >> anything.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >   Don Hanson
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
> >> >>
> >> >> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Jake
> >> >
> >> > 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> >> > 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
> >> >
> >> > Crescent Beach, BC
> >> >
> >> > www.thebassspa.com
> >> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> >> > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
> >>
> >> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Jake
> >
> > 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> > 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
> >
> > Crescent Beach, BC
> >
> > www.thebassspa.com
> > www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> > http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
> >
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27