Andy-

It is (believe it or not) probably your oil filter. Most over-the-counter
filters do not have an anti-drain-back valve, some have one, but it doesn't
work very well. So over a few hours, the hot oil drains backwards through
the filter, and back into the oil pan.

Also, some folks (on this list) have suggested that the filter needs to
create a certain amount of pressure in the system by slowing the flow of
oil, (I'm not convinced on this second hypothesis). Either way, the little
knock you are hearing is most likely one or more of your hydraulic valve
lifters, which drained their oil, and are re-filing during warm-up.

You can live with it; it doesn't do a great deal of harm as long as you let
your motor idle until the pressure is up. Or, if you want to eliminate it,
you can use Doctor-recommended, prescription-strength MANN or KNECHT
filters from the VW dealer ($6.00?).

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

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-----Original Message-----
From:   Andy [SMTP:easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM]
Sent:   Thursday, January 01, 1998 4:32 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        slow oil pressure

I recently purchased a rebuilt 2.0 litre air cooled engine for my 82 westy.
Engine runs fine the problem is when I restart it after a few hours of down
time you can here engine knock until oil pressure builds up up(i do monitor
the L/O guage).  Oil pressure is good in all ranges even after reaching
operating temperature she never drops below 10psi. I didnt notice this
problem until I replaced the cold start injector,  because now she starts
right up. I'm using castrol 20w50 an live in southern California, current
temps are 40s-70s. Does anyone have this problem? Is it the pressure relief
valve?
Andy