Date:         Sun, 24 May 1998 16:42:49 -0500
Reply-To:     michael@HSDESIGN.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         michael@HSDESIGN.COM
Subject:      HELP! loud valve noise...
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-mac-type="54455854";
              x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"

Dear Volks,

The story so far:

I start my engine this morning and I hear for the first time the
unmistakable, loud "tap, tap, tap" of a valve, rocker or lifter. Drats!
I've been having overheating problems recently and I immediately thought
I had overheated my baby, causing all sorts of damage to her innards.
Checked the oil -- drats! 1/4 quart low. Now I am REALLY thinking of the
worst scenario -- rebuilt heads, or worse.

On a lark I added another 1/2 quart -- noise still there: tap, tap, tap.
On another lark, I added a can of Gunk "Valve Medic" and voilá -- after
five minutes the noise is gone. So far so good! I checked the
compression and recorded reasonably good readings (for a 90k engine)
between 130 and 145 in all cylinders. Spark plugs look good too. So, now
I'm reasonably optimistic -- or am I fooling myself?

Thus, dear listees, what do I do next? Did I cause this by running 1/4
quart low of oil in combination with coolant overheating? or is this
just a random coincidnece? Should I leave the Gunk in for a while?
(Note: the can doesn't say to change the oil afterwards) or should I
change the oil ASAP? (I just changed it 45 days ago). Or worse, do I
really have to take her in and have 'em look it over?

Waiting on pins and needles, I remain
Sincerely

Michael J. Sullivan