Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 07:50:20 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: engine running cooler, or wishful thinking?
In-Reply-To: <4095B9A1.2080900@communitybuilders.info>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Craig,
You may not have had an actuall mechanical problem requiring lifter
replacement at all.
Are you aware of the infamous "Vanagon Valve Lifter Syndrome"??
The WBX is notorious for developing valve clatter as the result of a
lifter losing it's oil prime after sitting a while. It is related to
having incorrect oil type and also an improper oil filter. First off,
the WBX likes 20W50wt Dino oil or 15W50 Mobil One Synthetic. The engine
also needs a Mahle or Mann oil filter. On most oil filters, the internal
relief valve spring pressure is not sufficient to hold the oil in the
oil galleries of the engine when eht engine is not running, and the
result is that the oil pressure in the galleries bleeds down, draining
the oil from them. This lost of pressure allows the lifters to bleed
down and the result is that when you start the engine again, the lifter
clatters like crazy until you have driven quite some distance. The bleed
down is resisted better with the 20W50wt Dino Oil and the 15W50wt Mobil
One. The Mann and Mahle oil filters have proven over time to be the
filter of choice because of the strong relief valve spring pressure. So
when you couple the Mann/Mahle filter with the proper oil you virtually
eliminate the likelyhood of valve clatter - which would make you think
you have a faulty valve lifter.
Many of us swear by adding a bit of Marvel's Mystery Oil to the engine
oil. I do it myself. This is a vey high quality penetrating oil with
cleaning agents which will help keep the lifter ports and channels open,
clean, and free of any debris or varnish buildups.
By switching to 15W50 Mobil One Synthetic, installing Mahle oil filters,
and adding a small amount of MMO to my engine oil between changes, I
have not had lifter clatter in three years now.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Craig Oda wrote:
> Coming home in 103 degree temp, I noticed that the coolant temp needle
> was dead on middle. The van normally runs a few mm to the right of
> middle all through winter. My previous 1.9L waterboxer engine ran at
> dead middle. I'm especially curious if the health of the van's engine
> might be improving since the last set of repairs, which included
> replacing 2 lifters. Wishful thinking, or is there another reason that
> the van would be running cooler going 65mph on the freeway for an hour
> in hot weather?
>
> The lifters did not resolve the obnoxious metal-on-metal ticking sound I
> have from the center of the engine (used mechanic's stethoscope). So, I
> drive around in fear that a rod is knocking or a cam lobe is worn. I'm
> not prepared to crack the case open and find the source of the noise.
> One of the cylinders is also firing off a little. Oil pressure is okay,
> for now. Power is fine. I can maintain freeway speeds with no probs.
>
> Anyway, when I took out the two lifter, I could press the center plunger
> on one of them in with hand-pressure. On the other lifter, the lifter
> piston appeared solidly stuck in one place. There was about 2
> tablespoons of oil that drained from the pushrod top on the lifter that
> I thought was bad.
>
> I'm just collecting info to try and reduce my driving anxieties. The
> old van has stranded me on the side of the road enough times so that I'm
> not too worried about having the engine die and having to call AAA
> again. Got Plus membership and it serves me well. :-) . However, I
> of course want to have more confidence and relaxation when I drive. The
> van's been running okay since I changed the starter several months again.
>
> Any ideas why it would start to run cooler?
>
| 
