Date:         Tue, 10 Aug 1999 14:07:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      '86 Valve job question - details

Dave-

Marshal is absolutely right...In particular on higher mileage Vanagon's
like yours, a sticky lifter is quite likely. Here is how to fix.

Warm up motor by driving.
Drain engine oil. Change filter to any brand.
Refill with 1/2 & 1/2  engine oil and Automatic Transmission fluid, any
brand.
Start motor, BUT DO NOT DRIVE THE VAN!!!!
Allow the motor to idle, and rev it gently every once in a while  (like to
2,000 rpm) for about 20 minutes.
Drain Oil. Change filter to MANN or VW brand filter (NO Fram, Autocrap, AC
Smelco, etc.)
Refill with Castrol 20w50, and about 8-16 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil.
Change your oil again and use a MANN or VW filter in 1,000 to 1,500 miles.
Kiss your ticking lifter goodbye.

The ATF is HIGHLY detergent, and will clean out the lifter. The Marvel
Mystery oil will continue the process. The good filter will prevent the oil
from draining out of the lifters overnight.

After all of that is done,  run a compression check to verify that you
don't have any bum valves. You prolly don't.

Cheers.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree


-----Original Message-----
From:   Marshall Ruskin [SMTP:mruskin@PANGEA.CA]
Sent:   Tuesday, August 10, 1999 1:49 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: '86 Valve job question - details

Well, I am NOT a mechanic. But....

Could it not be just noisy valve lifters?

Many people suggest the addition of Marvel Mystery Oil, to reduce that
sound, and pump up the lifters.

If the noise quiets down, as you say, PERHAPS it may just be sticky valve
lifters, which loosen with time, oil and heat - not a valve job candidate.

Marshall Ruskin


>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
>