Let's not call a clacking lifter a "collapsed" lifter. A collapsed lifter is
a true failure where the top wears through or crushes out from the cam shaft
riding on it. It can and does happen especially on older American cars. A
lifter can also fail internally and even separate and spread some parts
through the engine. Dealt with one of those a few weeks ago.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanagon engine noise - collapsed lifter?

Collapsed lifter syndrome. Not to worry. Drive it a bit and it will pump up.
A few that help to keep it from happening - Mann Oil Filter, hi-grade
synthetic oil like Mobil One in 15W50 wt. Add a dash of Marvel's Mystery
Oil. These steps will extend the time between periods of lifter flatness.
But - it will run great, no no probs - until you park it wrong and then  it
will go flat. Just drive it, and it will pump up.  You will need to run it
every two or three days to keep them pumped.

On an aside, good maintenance on your AC if you have it, is to run it once a
week, winter and summer - to keep the seals lubricated so they don't dry out
and lose the refrigerant.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 11/30/2011 12:22 PM, Todd Last wrote:
> My Vanagon has been sitting for awhile and upon starting, is making a
> noise and puffing out a fair amount of smoke.
> Is this a collapsed lifter?
>
> I made a short video here:
>
>
> <http://www.flipshare.com/login.aspx?nRecipient=N0I5MzFDMkItQzNGNy00Rj
> VELUE4MDAtNjdFODNEOTREMjQy&nFrame=RDBBNUE5QkYtQTAwRS00N0Y3LThDNkMtM0Uz
> NDU5OTZCOEQx&nMethod=ZW1haWw=&nMedia=ODkxRUM0NDYtQ0UyQi00ODk0LTkyNEUtN
> TEyODYxMEMxQjEy&emt=de084a1a-1ea9-454d-8bff-ac2049edb15b&slocale=en_US
> &emailThumbnail=single>
>
>
>
>
> Todd
> '88 Westy
>
>