The noise sounds like the noise common to waterboxers.  The lifters drain when the engine sets without running.  The longer it sets, the more completely they drain.  Run it a little while, and the oil starts to pump them up so they work properly.  mcneely

---- KKALnSF <kkalnsf@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We have an  87 Syncro with about 70k miles.
>
> When we leave the van unused for several days or more, upon start-up a
> loud ticking emanates from the right side of the engine.
> If we let it idle for 5-10 minutes, the sound slowly disappears.
>
> We have noticed the sound has become more frequent over the last year.
> We have noticed the problem appears to be less frequent after we change
> the oil
> We have noticed this does not seem to occur when the engine is warm.
>
> Last weekend we noticed the ticking seemed more like a clacking which
> was  louder than previously and it took 30 minutes of low speed driving
> for the noise to slowly subside.
>
> I made an inquiry with our local mechanic, who didn't hear the noise but
> believes the spring inside the lifter is broken.  I'm not sure how that
> could be the case if the noise goes away after the engine warms up.
>
> Has anyone dealt with this type of noise?

--
David McNeely