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SSWesty
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008
Posts: 732
Location: Bellevue
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 Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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Time has proven Marvel Mystery Oil can't fix everything. After a fresh oil change this summer to Shell Rotella 15w-40 I've had the dreaded return of lifters failing to stay pumped up. After the oil change I had an event that took 15-20 minutes of driving to quiet the lifter down so I added 16 ounces of marvel to the engine. Even with Marvel in the engine I've had two occurrences of lifter noise on startup over the past couple months. It's random enough that I am not sure if I have a lifter that's a little dirty or if one of them is just getting worn out.
It's random enough I doubt I'll chase it down until it gets more consistent. Not sure what to say about Marvel other than in my case it didn't make my random lifter noise go away. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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After an oil change and then a six hour drive I started to hear lifter ticking from left side.
Now, after two days and driving about 25 miles she's still ticking....
Should i pop the covers and check valve adjustment?
Should i do nothing and keep driving to see if it stops?
what do you think? |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50349
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| Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Vanagator wrote: |
After an oil change and then a six hour drive I started to hear lifter ticking from left side.
Now, after two days and driving about 25 miles she's still ticking....
Should i pop the covers and check valve adjustment?
Should i do nothing and keep driving to see if it stops?
what do you think? |
What oil are you running? I strongly believe in running a synthetic oil with a low (0w**, 5w**) first number. The synthetic keeps the engine clean and the thinner oil allows the lifters to pump up more readily when cold.
YMMV |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:45 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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Im using Gtx 20w50...
Drove another 15 miles still tick ticking... |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 4:14 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Vanagator wrote: |
Im using Gtx 20w50...
Drove another 15 miles still tick ticking... |
What is the temperature there?
20w-50 may be great for June, July and August, but this time of year in the "cooler" season it is the wrong oil because it is too thick and the tappets need a free flowing oil.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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Well its gotten cooler here in Mexico for sure. Its been about 60-70F.
Maybe another oil change? Hate to waste that oil... But..planning to travel more. |
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candyman
Samba Trout Slayer
Joined: December 20, 2003
Posts: 2694
Location: Missoula MT
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Vanagator wrote: |
Im using Gtx 20w50...
Drove another 15 miles still tick ticking... |
Are you using the gtx "high mileage" 20-50 oil? I recently switched to that on my syncro and it has really helped my lifter tick significantly. Its a synthetic blend and so far has been great in my experience. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| As far as I know it is not synthetic it is the GTX 20w 50 Castrol |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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They do also make Castrol GTX in 10w-30, 10w-40 weights.
Check out their full range of oils, but also depends on your local stores.
https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/motor-oil/all-viscosities.html
If the 20w-50 you just put in is new -save in a clean container to use it again.
Just because you drain it from your engine after a short use doesn't mean it's garbage. Use new filters and your good to go with it.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Right on, Thanks Steve... |
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jberger
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003
Posts: 2476
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| Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Vanagator wrote: |
Im using Gtx 20w50...
Drove another 15 miles still tick ticking... |
Check your exhaust for leaks. A leak at the head flange can sound like a tick.. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| OK Jberger, I all do that,thanks |
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[email protected]
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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I have quick question. I was told by a mechanic yesterday (Valley Wagonworks Bay Area) that I had bad lifters after he just heard it running for a short while. I don't doubt him as he sounds pretty savvy. Buy he sounded pretty convinced that once lifters go bad it is time for a whole new engine, and that a new engine installed is $12K. Now I am new to the Vanagon world and am skeptical about some of the things I was told. My engine was rebuilt 75k miles ago, does it seem reasonable that after hearing an engine run a good VW mechanic could determine that this one is unsalvageable? And of so, wouldn't a rebuild be considerably cheaper than a whole new engine?
Thank you guys/gals for your help.
Trentin E |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| [email protected] wrote: |
I have quick question. I was told by a mechanic yesterday (Valley Wagonworks Bay Area) that I had bad lifters after he just heard it running for a short while. I don't doubt him as he sounds pretty savvy. Buy he sounded pretty convinced that once lifters go bad it is time for a whole new engine, and that a new engine installed is $12K. Now I am new to the Vanagon world and am skeptical about some of the things I was told. My engine was rebuilt 75k miles ago, does it seem reasonable that after hearing an engine run a good VW mechanic could determine that this one is unsalvageable? And of so, wouldn't a rebuild be considerably cheaper than a whole new engine?
Thank you guys/gals for your help.
Trentin E |
Read the thread again and do the recommendations before letting anyone sell you a new engine. In other words-don't trust anyone who wants to take your money out of your wallet!
What are you getting for 12K? For that money I'll live in the back and pedal!
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50349
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| There are a whole lot of things you should try before you drain you bank account by that amount. Do some searching and reading, there is a lot of good info archived here on The Samba. |
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Vanagator
Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2009
Posts: 230
Location: Cool lush mountains in Mexico
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| Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Quote: |
| Check your exhaust for leaks. A leak at the head flange can sound like a tick.. |
Thanks jberger for the tip to check exhaust....Well just an update on my preconceived lifter ticking/ping.....wrong!
After close inspection I discovered a small hole in my exhaust pipe, shown here....
Sure sounded like my ole lifter ping but clearly now it's an exhaust leak.
I guess the best way to fix that is to weld. Any advice of patching a hole like this?? |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50349
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| Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| Vanagator wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Check your exhaust for leaks. A leak at the head flange can sound like a tick.. |
Thanks jberger for the tip to check exhaust....Well just an update on my preconceived lifter ticking/ping.....wrong!
After close inspection I discovered a small hole in my exhaust pipe, shown here....
Sure sounded like my ole lifter ping but clearly now it's an exhaust leak.
I guess the best way to fix that is to weld. Any advice of patching a hole like this?? |
The metal is typically so thin it is very hard to weld without blowing through. You really need to spend a lot of time and apply weld over a large area as the entire bend is going to be paper thin and will continually give problems. If you aren't set up to do you own welding, you may end up paying a welder for a lot of time. It might be better to just bite the bullet and replace the whole shebang, though you may be able to get by with just welding in an elbow. |
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nemobuscaptain
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 3874
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:41 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| SSWesty wrote: |
| Time has proven Marvel Mystery Oil can't fix everything. After a fresh oil change this summer to Shell Rotella 15w-40 I've had the dreaded return of lifters failing to stay pumped up. |
What filter?
Ive found exactly the opposite of what some here suggest. Thin oil causes the lifters to collapse easier.
The thin oil thing did seem attractive, thin oil slips around gunk easier and the detergent package fixes it..... it just never worked for me.
Many of the valve quieting products are very thick oils, some seem almost like gear oil.
I DONT use MMO. I have used a product called valve medic I think or CD2 . They are heavy duty detergent packages. Followed by shorter interval oil changes. Some have suggest some ATF, which jas a very high dtergent content.
MMO is solvent mostly. Seems like an odd thing to put in an oil. I know many have had success
Ive never had an engine that needed MMO or CD2 that was ever truly cured of the occasional clarter when the engine sat for extended periods.
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SSWesty
Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008
Posts: 732
Location: Bellevue
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| Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Bad lifter?? |
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| I've been running Napa Gold filters which are thought to be made by WIX. This summer I've switched from Shell Rotella 15-40 conventional to Mobil 10-40 synthetic with a Mann filter. I've run Napa Golds and Mann filters before with the same random lifter noise. One of these days I'll check to see if an adjustment is needed. At this point the clanging is too far apart and random for me to check it the lifter adjustment. |
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nemobuscaptain
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 3874
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