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Date:         Wed, 15 Sep 2004 20:41:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Noisy lifter update
Comments: To: Darryl Carpenter <dcarp@HURONTEL.ON.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <4148E07F.17DA2F9E@hurontel.on.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

I don't know why anybody is surprised when they have lifter noise. The lifters have a hole in the side that allows oil to escape to lubricate the lifter bores. These holes will leak no matter where they stop in their rotation process. It just takes a minute or two to get the lifters refilled with oil. I think Bob Donald's lifter setting is good because when the engine stops the lifter isn't under load and the oil in it isn't under pre-load pressure. In this benign state the oil isn't pressed out of the lifter as it is with one or two turns down as pre load.

Stan Wilder More Power with Performance Coatings http://www.engineceramics.com

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Darryl Carpenter Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 7:38 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Noisy lifter update

Listees Thanks so much to those who came to my rescue with their solution. Many were repeats of the same info (thats good..consistant info!) and some were unique. I offer a different perspective from a writer from the website westfalia.org. I present it only as a different look at the problem I asked about. Thanks again Darryl

"Synthetic oil has nothing to do with lifter bleed-down. If anything, it may contribute to it since most synthetics are a slightly lighter base weight.

Additives that increase viscosity can reduce bleed-down, but they come with the same undesireable side-effects of changing viscosity to one too heavy for the intended use.

Proper oil and changes have more than enough detergents and anti-gumming additives. There are no magic mechanics in a bottle -- every additive has plus & minuses. VW cautions they are not needed or desireable. Proper viscosity is the most important characteristic -- the thinner the base, the more likely to bleed down, so a 10W30 is more likely to experience lifter bleed-down than say a 15W-40, one of the best viscosity choices for the Vanagon in most locales.

That you have bleed down after a 2-week idle period is not unusual, and in fact, expected. It can occur in very new cars. It, in itself, is not a sign of pending hydrualic lifter failure. Did it pump back up after a few miles with the engine warm and stay pumped up over idle periods of a few days? If it did, you don't have a problem.

There are a number of 'engine flushes' on the market. Most are a waste. The modern premium oils have such a high level of detergent, they perform much the same effect. In fact, if the engine has been abused by infrequent oil changes, too strong & sudden a flush might break some deposit loose that blocks an oil passage.

The recommendation for a factory OE or OEM filter is also discussed with the oil topics. Besides quality, you are seeking the correct high-pressure relief valve in the filter to prevent engine damage in case of an obstruction. Cheap aftermarket filters may not have correct relief settings, if they even have the valve at all. Mahle (bought out Knecht) and Mann are good OEM brands. Mann (German company) has a plant in the US and was VW's supplier for the N. American market, if not still." --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free by AVG. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.762 / Virus Database: 510 - Release Date: 9/13/2004

--- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free by AVG. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.762 / Virus Database: 510 - Release Date: 9/13/2004


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