Before: FRAM oil filter  20W-50.  Let van sit for a week.  Lifters simulate
a rhythm section for about 20 minutes of freeway driving, then are quiet.
Seems more summer, warm weather related.

After: Mann oil filter  20W-50 (same cheap oil).  Let van sit for two weeks.
  Zero clatter, just that nice smooth purr at startup.

Not claiming a cause and effect, but nothing else obvious changed.

Also, Coby  suggested STP oil treatment.

Cheers, Tom Neal  '87 syncro

On Tue, 10 Aug 1999, Ware, Dave K wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
> A couple of you requested details regarding the post I made yesterday about
> Dad's '86 Westfalia.
>
> 110,000 miles.  Dad took it to the repair shop because the engine was making
> a "ticking noise".  The noise is louder when the engine starts and eases a
> bit after that.  It is not "horrendous".  Dad is not a mechanic but he has
> been driving cars for 55 years and to him, it sounds like valve clatter.
> For what it's worth, the mechanic at the repair shop (not a VW specialist)
> did say there is a burned valve (or valves.)
>
> There is no loss of power.
>
> Dad also mentioned multiple oil leaks.  The Vanagon is parked now at the
> repair shop; so far they've replaced the filler tube and oil filter, both of
> which had holes.  Apparently there is some leaking from somewhere else also.
> Possibly unrelated to the valves?
>
> Well.  The repair shop is advising an engine replacement.  Is there much
> possibility that they're wrong about the valves?  Perhaps it would be worth
> taking it to a VW specialist.  Any suggestions or direction would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave
>