----------
From:   jack[SMTP:htonline.htonline.com]
Sent:   Saturday, February 27, 1999 10:24 PM
To:     'vanagon post'
Subject:        Valve lifter noise solution.

I'm new to this list and this will be my first post. I live in Ann Arbor
MI.

I purchased my 84 Gl , 1.9L, 2 yrs ago with 95k miles and now have 147k on
it.  Athough I changed oil and filters every 30k, my lifters became noiser
and noiser at cold start and took longer each time to warm up and quiet.
 Strange things, like leaving it parked on an incline would cause them to
rattle.  I talked to my local dealer he wanted $1,800 for heads and would
not just "do the valves". (now that I know more about the "Waterboxer" I
wouldn't either).  I took it to my local "high tech" VW shop to have the
oil pump pressure checked, he instead checked the engine oil pressure
 (which was about par for a high time engine) and told me the engine was
running rich, and along with some (now, $2000) heads I needed a complete
electronic diagnosis ($125).

I changed to 50w oil.  Worse!   So I parked it,  as by then,  I had decided
I would run it over to Windsor Canada and have the VW dealer drop in a
factory rebuilt engine (lots cheaper in Canada as I understand all VW
factory engine rebuilds are done there, and the exchange is $1.50 vrs $1.00
US).

Then I read this list. The whole thing from last year to date.  I found the
magic word there.  Fram!!

Yes the %&*!!** Fram oil filters.  I went to the dealer, paid him his $10
or whatever, and my van runs like new.  No more valve lifter noise.  What
can I say except,  thanks gang.  And to anyone running after market oil
filters to save a few bucks, why risk it.  I learned that all oil filters
are not created equal, and Fram is less equal of all.

Frank A2
84 GL
91 Festiva.