Date:         Tue, 10 Aug 1999 10:23:30 -0400
Reply-To:     "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Joe L." <jliasse@TOAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: '86 Valve job question - details
Comments: To: "Ware, Dave K" <Dave.K.Ware@AMEXCHANGE.AMERITECH.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

     I am no mechanic either but the first thing that comes to mind is a
leaky hydraulic lifter.
    If you leave a Vanagon parked for a week or so the oil in the lifters
will drain. When you start it the engine will sound like a room full of
cookoo clocks until after you drive it around for a while so the lifters can
again fill with oil and adjust themselves, after which all will be well.
    Might be that you have one lifter that drains in, say, a couple of hours
instead of the usual week. Start the van and this leaky lifter will also try
to adjust itself but, being leaky, never quite gets the job done.
     This is only a first impression from a non-mechanic but I believe it
likely enough to justify a second opinion prior to replacing an engine that
is not losing power.

----- Original Message -----
From: Ware, Dave K <Dave.K.Ware@AMEXCHANGE.AMERITECH.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 9:07 AM
Subject: '86 Valve job question - details


> Hi folks,
>
> A couple of you requested details regarding the post I made yesterday
about
> Dad's '86 Westfalia.
>
> 110,000 miles.  Dad took it to the repair shop because the engine was
making
> a "ticking noise".  The noise is louder when the engine starts and eases a
> bit after that.  It is not "horrendous".  Dad is not a mechanic but he has
> been driving cars for 55 years and to him, it sounds like valve clatter.
> For what it's worth, the mechanic at the repair shop (not a VW specialist)
> did say there is a burned valve (or valves.)
>
> There is no loss of power.
>
> Dad also mentioned multiple oil leaks.  The Vanagon is parked now at the
> repair shop; so far they've replaced the filler tube and oil filter, both
of
> which had holes.  Apparently there is some leaking from somewhere else
also.
> Possibly unrelated to the valves?
>
> Well.  The repair shop is advising an engine replacement.  Is there much
> possibility that they're wrong about the valves?  Perhaps it would be
worth
> taking it to a VW specialist.  Any suggestions or direction would be
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave