Date:         Sun, 5 Jun 2005 13:45:10 -0600
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Replacing Hydraulic Lifters

Hi all,

I have been away for a while, but am back to wanting to use my van a bit
more. Mostly, it just sits for reasons that are probably not important.
When I do start it up after a week of sitting, wow!, the lifters are
really noisy.

I posted a long story a while back about this, so I won't fill the
archives with more useless information. I am considering a new motor, or
rebuilding it as the only long term solution, but also would not mind
keeping it just as it is if only the lifters did not take half an hour to
pump up when I want to use the van. My plan has always been to run the
engine as many miles as it will take me, always mentally ready to deal
with the failure when it finally gives up. It is hard to bring myself to
tear apart or replace an engine that, but for the lifters, seems to run
just fine. Kind of like cutting out a healty appendix <g>

I have dutifully searched the archives, and do not see much specific
information on what is involved in replacing them. I see a lot of people
with the problem :-) but few posts actually addressing the "how to" so I
am here hoping to get some first hand details on the job, or find a link
to the procedure. Boston Bob has some info on lifters, but not any steps
on how to replace them with the engine still in the van.

I believe I know which ones are the culprit, or at least the loudest
offenders, and it seems to be the drivers side, most rear cylinder (don't
know the numbers) This is not a thing where MMO will help, or an oil
filter issue, as I have progressed beyond those to where I am pretty sure
the lifters have had it.

In the archives, I see the words "destroy" the pushrod tubes, and other
intimidating comments <g> and so I seek info and details before
proceeding. I also read things about these lifters that I do not
understand, relative to all the ones I have replaced on big old V8 style
engines. I guess the VW ones are quite a bit different in how they pump up
and are adjusted?

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has done this job,
especially with the engine in the van, or at least with the heads still
attached, while on a bench.

It would seem to be a fairly straightforward, hard to get at, kind of
repair, but I have thought that before and been quite wrong :-)

I also have the crazy thought that maybe I could just adjust them down a
bit and see if that helps, but that is rather unscientific, and the fact
is, that the engine runs just fine when they finally quiet down, so I
figure an adjustment might make upset the way the engine runs. Is it a bad
idea to try and tighten them down a bit as a first thing to try? Would new
lifters be a detriment to the cam, seeings as to how old the engine is?

Thank you all for your help and assistance.

Best Regards,

John