Date:         Wed, 7 Jun 2000 08:19:48 MDT
Reply-To:     Randy Herd <randyherd@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Randy Herd <randyherd@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Valve Adjustment Report
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

On May 22nd I spoke with Bob Donalds about his theory on valve adjustment.

On May 23rd I adjustment my valves to ZERO clearance.  The engine was warm
(almost too hot to touch) and I used my fingers to tighten the adjusters.

On May 24th I started a road trip that ended 2500 miles later on June 3rd.

Observations:  The intermittent power brake pressure loss has completely
disappeared; compression in all 4 cylinders is better and almost equal;
better power on acceleration and on hills.

For 5 years I have had an occasional lifer collapse problem after high speed
(70) highway miles.  As soon as I slowed down the engine would clatter and
run bad, but would clear up so quickly I could not determine which cylinder
was having problems.  About 1900 miles into this trip I started losing power
and when I pulled over determined that I had a severe engine clatter.  I
initially thought that I had dropped a valve.  After about 30 minutes I
restarted the engine and the clatter stopped as soon as the oil pressure
came up. I could not find a shop that would either work on a vanagon or
could get the parts so I drove about 600 miles 45 minutes at a time with 30
minute breaks to get back to El Paso.

I now know which cylinder has a bad lifter.

When I replace both lifters (don't know which one) I will adjust them to
zero.

NOTE:  This is not exactly what Bob recommends so after a few hundred miles
I MAY preload them 1/4 of a turn.
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