What you are describing is normal Vanagon lifter noise at start up.
While it can be scarey to a Vanagon newb it is normal and after a while
most folks just get used to it.

I have had several new owners call me in panic mode because they left
their van sit for a few days and then started it up to hear the very
loud clacking noise of the collapsed lifter.  They want to have the van
towed to my shop directly.  I tell them to calm down, drive the van
around for about 30 mins and then call me back.  They call me back and
are happy they had someone to hold their hand and tell them that it was
going to be "OK".  :-)

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 3/6/2012 12:47 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>> At 09:50 AM 3/6/2012, Ken Wilford wrote:
>>> Here is a typical call, "My van idles funny."  I ask, "Did this start
>>> after you had some head work done?"  Customer thinks I am clairvoyant.
>>> I tell them to adjust the valves to zero lash and see if this helps.
>>> They email me a few days later saying the problem is gone and the van is
>>> running better than ever.  If you have a little clacking adjust it to
>>> half a turn preload and you should be good to go.
> This confuses me a bit.  My '91 waterboxer has "a little clacking" on startup, especially if it has sat for a couple of weeks (I try to get it out and drive it a bit at least that often to keep up with what might go wrong, and keep it running).  It is my understanding that that is not a problem, since the lifters fill and the noise stops.  I let it idle until that happens.
>
> Are you saying that that indicates the valves are out of adjustment?  It runs very well, and gets around 20 mpg at highway running (usually 60 mph).
>
> mcneely
>