Date:         Sat, 21 Apr 2001 09:30:10 -0400
Reply-To:     georgejoann@JUNO.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Jannini <georgejoann@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: chronic valve tapping
Comments: To: flubach@HOME.COM
Content-Type: text/plain

Bradley, you said:

<<  I have a tap that comes and goes weekly. It's beginning to be very
annoying.  I only drive to and from work (about 2 miles each way) every
day, so it's tough to run the engine for the 30 or so minutes it takes
for the lifter to pump back up. >>

   I switched from using Castrol 20W50 oil to Mobil1 synthetic 15W50
after experiencing the dreaded oil pressure warning buzzer a few times
during long distance highway runs.  Since changing brands, I have not
heard the buzzer, and an additional benefit turned out to be that the
occasional lifter noise that I used to get after the bus sat idle seems
to be gone for good.

   I change his oil at around 8,000 miles now.  The bus has gone about
156K miles so far, and I would especially recommend synthetic for anyone
who travels a lot, because for me, road trip oil changes are a royal
PITA.

   Can't say for sure, but using Fram filters up until and for a while
after I switched to the Mobil didn't appear to effect either lifters or
oil pressure, but I now use VW recommended brands.

        George/ATL
        '89 Westy, Wernher
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