My '91 has done this ever since I've had it, which is since it had 100K miles.  It has 179K miles now.  It only occurs if it has been sitting for a while (is that quantitative --  a while?  What about two whiles?).  It always goes away within a mile or so, whether at low or high rpms.  mcneely
  
---- Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote: 
> Hydraulic lifter bleed down. Usually only one lifter if a cam lobe has that valve fully open when the engine is shut down.
> 
> They all do this sooner or later. My '84 did it, my '85 does it, and so does my son's '87. Usually by 140k miles.
> 
> Best thing is to drive it at a high rpm until the lifter pumps up.  Freeway travel, or around town in a lower gear to keep the revs around 3000.
> 
> In theory, this minimizes the lifter banging as hard on the cam. 
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2015 5:38 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: lifter chatter any concerns?
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
>         this spring, after over three months not running,  I started my van and amazing no lifter chatter 
>         Now, after a recent oil change, same oil as before Mobil 1 15 50 and same filter. the van did a long 600 mile trip to Bus Fusion.  Now I’m noticing that even when the van sits just for 4 or 5 days it will have the lifter chatter for about 8 miles before stopping.
> 
> Is this a sign of a problem coming?  Is it something I should not worry about?  Is there anything I can do to improve the situation?
> 
> Original 1.9 motor with just over 140,000 well cared for miles.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 85 GL Auto 

--
David McNeely