Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 12:46:43 -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: lifter problems
In-Reply-To: <BAY3-F30wvimdzhUOEO00004736@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Paul,
Replace your oil filter with a Mann or Mahle filter. These two filters
have internal relief valve springs that have sufficient strength to hold
the oil pressue in the oil galleries of the engine when the engine is
turned off. Other brands do not. With the other filters, the pressure
bleeds down in the galleries, allowing the [pressure to drop in the
lifters, and then when you start up the valves clatter until the lifters
pump up. It is said that this really doesn't hurt anything if the
lifters pump up soon, but in rerality it does hurt the engine. Not in a
large way, but over time the accumulated effects of the odd wear caused
by this condition will contribute to engine problems. A lifter that is
flat results in a valve that opens late and closes early. Thuswith an
intake valve, you have a reduced charge in the cylinder, and therefore
reduced power. On a four cylinder engine this is an out of balance
condition that puts uneven loads on rotating parts. Not Good!! If it is
an exhaust valve then you have a cylinder holding pressue far longer
than it should, and reduced scavenging of exhaust gases with resulting
back pressure, thus increasing vibration, increasing temperatures, and
putting added loads on rotating parts. Again, NOT GOOD!!
So, get the filters that have over and over proven to work.
Since your machine is aircooled, I'm not sure about the best oil type
but consider my comments on the WBX. It may apply to the aircooled
engines. Don't know for certain.
Add a bottle of Marvels Mystery oil to the engine oil, run around a
bit......100 miles on a steady run........... then drain the oil,
replace the filter, and put in Mobil One 15W50WT Synthetic. If you
still have the clattering on startup after all that, then you have
problems in the valve train and the cold valve clearance with the
lifters flat may have to be adjusted. If that doesn't do it, then the
lifters themselvesare the problrm and you may have to replace them. But
that is not likely if the engine is new. I suggest you switch to Mobil
One anyway, just as a matter of course. Bob Donalds web site,
www.bostonengines.com has some good info about adjusting valves. Bob
knows his stuff with these engines and is a good source of info.
My own set up on my 88 GL is as follows
*Engine:* the Mann filter, Mobil One 15W50wt Synthetic ( piston type
aircraft engines went to synthetic oils a long time ago... why not the
WBX?)
*Fuel System: *One bottle of Marvels Mystery oil every third tank full.
*Coolant:* Texaco Havoline Orange Biodegreadable, and one bottle of
Redline WaterWetter - Drain and flush sustem every two years, religiously.
*Manual Tranny:* Redline MT90 tranny oil. Change every two years
religiously. The molecular chains in oil break over time, and
lubrication quality diminishes, so this makes sense to me as a
maintenance item.
*Brakes: *Bleed and flush with new break fluid every two years - I do
this because of the water and dirt I have found in the lines at
different times. Flushing as routine maintenance just makes sense to me.
I have over 50,000 miles on a rebuilt engine and not a burp, nor drop of
oil has leaked. It runs nice and cool, and all systems perform as they
should. (Except the AC which needs work)
I'm an old aircraft mechanic whose experiece has taught me that a high
level of service and maintenance ALWAYS leads to better performance and
longevity. You don't pull a broken airplane over and park it on a cloud
while you wait for the tow truck!!! And I absolutely HATE haveing to
call a tow truck for my van.!!
Best Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Paul Whitley wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I am pretty new to the Vanagon scene. I have owned nothing but a BMW
> 320I and multiple Beetles. So I thought buying a 1982 Vanagon
> (air-cooled) would be no different than what I have been use to. Boy
> was I wrong.
>
> I usually do as much of my own maintenance as possible. I can pretty
> much rebuild a 1600cc drunk and blindfolded, but this 2.0 is giving me
> some annoying problems that I need help with.
>
> The hydraulic lifters seem to collapse every 10 or 11 months. This
> last time when I replaced them and set the timing the problem did not
> go away. There is definite blow back of the exhaust gasses and no
> power. I think the van can go about 25 mph.
>
> This van has been in my family for 2 years now. I want to keep it, but
> not if this happens every year. Is this an engineering flaw, or am I
> doing something to contribute to the delinquency of a cranky van?
>
> Any ideas would be helpful.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Paul Whitley
> 82 Vanagon GL "Rolling Turd"
> 74 Super Beetle "Tori #7"
> 63 Beetle Project "Money Pit" or "Garage Therapy"
>
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