Date:         Sat, 6 Jul 2002 09:51:00 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: valve clatter
Comments: To: Dart 330 <dart330@HOTMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

This valve clatter business is mostly harmless, and is most typically the
result of not having the right combination of oil filter and oil weight/grade.
The 20/50 WT oils are recommended for most climates, except perhaps in winter
in regions where it gets really cold, but it's good for summer climes most
anywhere. The second thing is the filter. There is an internal valve in the
Mann/Mahle filters that has a pressure releif spring set strong enough to
retain the oil in the engines oil galleries when the engine is shut down. Other
filters seem to be inadequate in that respect and the oil leaks out, the
pressure drops, and the lifters lose their oil. When you next start the engine,
the lifters clatter because the lifter-to-rocker clearance is no longer within
specs until the lifter is pumped back up with oil. Takes anywhere from just a
few minute up to one-half hour sometimes to pump back up and close the
lifter-to-rocker space back to spec for a running engine.

Virtually all WBX's will go through this inf they have sat a few days without
running. But not to worry un-necessarily.

BTW, I find that my 88GL's WBX is sensitive to oil and filter changes. If I
neglect changing oil on time, it gets grumpy and starts to clatter. The longer
I wait, the more frequent the clatter on start-up.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

John Rodgers
88 GL

> I started up the van today after about 2 weeks of not driving it and I got
> valve clatter on startup. This has happened to me once before when I went
> over 2 weeks without starting it but soon went away. I drove it around and
> to the gas station and back home and the valves are still clattering on the
> drivers side. Will this just go away with continued driving or could I have
> a problem on my hands? I was hoping to drive to the lake later this evening
> and get some camping in but I want to be sure it is ok to drive.
>
> Thanks,
> Nathan
> 85 Westy
>
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