Check the ignition wires.  This is a common cause of the three cylinder
syndrome.  The spark ends tend to short out.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From:   Vanagon mailing list  On Behalf Of Scott Semyan
Sent:   Tuesday, October 07, 1997 1:35 PM
To:     Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
Subject:        Re: only 3 pistions are firing

>> When I start up my van in the morning, I sense only 3 pistions are
>> firing.  When I rev it a  little, it's even more obvious not all 4
>> pistons are firing.

While I don't know what this sounds like, it could be a stuck lifter.
The engine sounds horrible until the lifter gets unstuck, then it sounds
fine. Try an oil change and see if that makes it go away.

Scott
'85 Westie
Seattle