First of all, make sure you are using the right oil = filter (Mahle or Mann with anti-drain back valve). 

That being said, I don't know about Vanagons, but = this sounds like classic "sticky lifter" syndrome caused by = carbon/dirt/sludge that builds up in the lifter valving.

The cheapest fix for this that I know of (and have = used on older American cars) is to drain the oil out of the engine and = refill it with a blend of fresh oil and ATF (believe it or not).  = The ATF is very high in detergents and tends to help break up the = sludge.  You run it like this for a few hours (I don't recommend = sustained freeway driving, as the lubricating properties of ATF are not = the same as motor oil!).  Just let it sit and idle for a while = until it gets good and hot.  Then drain and repeat this process. =

I have run about a 60% success rate using this method = on the following cars (as best as I can remember):

Corvairs (3)
'66 Plymouth Fury Wagon
Ford 2.3L Pinto
Jeep V-6
A couple of misc. Oldsmobiles and Buicks, and I = think a Nash Metropolitan...

The other alternative is obviously to replace all the = lifters.  Not expensive (usually) but a major PITA, since it = involves about the same amount of work as rebuilding the engine = entirely.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C= OM]On Behalf
> Of Mark Rissman
> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 9:19 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: lifter noise
>
>
> I think I have a similar problem on my 83.5 = water cooled.  If
> I start the
> motor up without driving (moving in driveway), = I get a noisy
> lifter.  The
> only way I fix it is by taking it out on the = freeway for 10 minutes.
>
> - Mark Rissman
> 83.5 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Animal [mailto:terrapin@HALIFAX.COM]
> Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2000 9:15 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: lifter noise
>
>
> Due the purchase of a 78 scirocco to serve as = my daily driver, I
> haven't been driving my 80 westy for about = three weeks.
> I went out to fire it up the other day, one of = my lifters
> wouldn't pump up.
> I let it run for awhile, but it still raised = all manner of noise.
> I realize this has probably been covered = somewhere in the past, but
> any quick suggestions on what I can do to get = that puppy to pump back
> up would be greatly appreciated.
> On another front, while I have your attention, = the ignition switch
> has gone out on my 85 vanagon and I can't for = the life of me figure
> out how to get that fool thing out.
> For the moment it's just sitting, the key = turns, but none of the
> magic noises happen. I think its more of the = actual tumblers worn out
> than anything else, cause there are no clicks = that you would normally
> run into when turning the key.
> Once again, suggestions appreciated.
> And finally, unrelated to the vanagon, but = volkswagon related
> nonetheless, anyone know where you can get = speedometers repaired.
> The one on the scirocco, the speed works, but = the odometer is busted.
> I took it out and the main gear on the shaft, = where the numbers are,
> won't spin.
> The gear that you can remove from the shaft, is = tight and spins the
> shaft, but that first gear just spins.
> I haven't been able to a drop of glue on it to = see if that would lock
> it down, and I haven't had any luck searching = boneyards for a used
> one.
> It wouldn't really matter except at work I'm = reimbursed for mileage
> and if the numbers don't spin, I don't get = paid.
> Also the gas gauge doesn't work so every 24 = hours, I fill up the car.
> I'm located in southside Virginia.
> Help.
> Onward thru the fog
> David Conner
> terrapin@halifax.com
>