Date:         Thu, 30 Dec 1999 18:56:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Re: 81 Vanagon makes loud ticking noise near center of engine?
Comments: To: Courtney Hook <chook@NISA.NET>

Change the oil to the *thinnest* grade recommended for your climate, and
run a quart of Marvel Magic Mystery Oil in the crankcase for 25 miles. If
it doesn't go away, adjust the valves, and drive it 25 more miles. Still
doesn't go away, the lifters can be easily removed without splitting the
case. You just remove the rocker-arm shaft for the offending lifter, pull
the push-rod tube out through the head, remove the lifter through the hole
in the block.

Check a Haynes or Bentley manual on how to clean/purge a dead lifter.
(Complicated). Replace, use new seals on PR tube and valve cover.

Lifters will "tap", the upper rod bearings will lightly "tock", and the
lower end bearings will "knock" or "thock" heavily.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

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-----Original Message-----
From:   Courtney Hook [SMTP:chook@NISA.NET]
Sent:   Thursday, December 30, 1999 4:25 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        81 Vanagon makes loud ticking noise near center of engine?

Hi people, I've been on this list off and on for many years. Time to get
back on as I'm looking at an 81 air-cooled that is making a sound
notoriously like a loud valve, except it is coming from the center of the
engine along the case split line. I am thinking it is a tappet. It rises
and
falls with the engine rpm. The engine remains a strong runner with no blue
observed, or lack of power/acceleration. The engine is the stock 2.0 L air
sucker. My questions are:

1. Would I be pretty accurate with this assumption?
2. Any other thoughts on what it could be?
3. Can this tappet be removed without splitting the case? I forget if these
are the traditional mushroom shaped valves type 1's use.
4. Any other help on checking this thing over before I decide to buy.
5. Thanks!

Regards,
Courtney


                            "PROUD TO BE CANADIAN"