I think this is my problem, too: I just replaced the head on my '80 Westy (aircooled). It had sat for quite awhile with the oil drain plug out. Now that I have it all back together, it has a nice loud click sound (I am pretty sure it's that's a lifter sound). I don't think (hope) it's a rod knocking, but it's more of a click. Hmm, wonder if there is a site around with the various VW failure sounds? Also, does a thicker oil tend to make this problem better or worse? Thanks, Jon On Mon, 1 Sep 2003, tp wrote: > Andy Morse wrote: > > > > 86 syncro, once in a while especially after not driving it > for a while I get > > a lot of a abnormal ticking from the valve cover area, > eventually it goes > > away. What's the cure? > > > Hi Andy, > > I have the same problem (actually it's no more than a minor > irritant) with my '85 1.9 WBX. > > The problem is that the hydraulic lifters lose oil when the > van has been standing unused for a while. Within 5 to 15 > minutes of normal running, the "abnormal ticking" noise goes > away, because the lifter re-fills with oil. I think the > reason is that the lifters are not specifically designed to > be used in the horizontal position - as far as I am aware, > they are similar to those used in various VW in-line four > cylinder engines that are mounted nearer to the vertical. > > My personal "cure" is to live with it. If you cannot live > with it, replacing the offending lifter will solve the > problem. > > Good luck, > > Tony > -- Jon Kenneke, General Manager Kenneke Communications - http://www.kenneke.com PO Box 3126 - Albany, OR 97321-0702 Radio Takena KTK - http://www.radiotakena.org |
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