My '85 westy did the same last year...  Drove... idled... warm ... cold....
couldn't figure it out.... hmmm why not change that oil I said... BINGO...
quiet as a mouse after that!  I figure some obstruction kept a push rod from
getting full oil... and the change loosened it or removed it.  I do notice
if my Westy sits for varying lengths (i.e. 1 wk or more) at close to the end
of an oil change the same happens.  The fix... don't let the VW stay
stationary and change that Oil!

Hope this helps!

Brad F Worls
Wheeling, WV

'72 Westy
'85 Westy
-----Original Message-----
From: Gravyfries <Gravyfries@AOL.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, April 04, 1998 11:57 AM
Subject: strange clicking noise on 87 westy

>Ah! Spring has finally arrived, although it really wasn't much of a winter
>here in Southern Ct.  Regardless, it's time to clean up the yard, and get
the
>old Vanagon up and running again.  So, here is my dilemma.  For reasons
>unknown, I did not winterize my westy and it has been sitting for a few
>months.  When I started it up the other day, I found that there was a
strange
>clicking noise coming from the engine with each revolution.  Figuring that
it
>was just from the engine being cold and not run for a while, a drove it for
a
>few miles to see what would happen when it warmed up.  However, the noise
did
>not stop, and I drove home in case this was causing damage.  I have yet to
>have it diagnosed, because I thought I would check with my knowledgable
>friends on this list, before I did anything.  Insights would be greatly
>appreciated, as I am eager to get it back on the road. Thanks
>
>Trevor Mullen
>Stamford, Ct
>87 Westy
>