Hydraulic lifter bleed down / pump up after sitting overnight

[buckswilde]

Want to preface with saying I'm familiar with hydraulic lifter woes and foes. Have owned many busses over the years with both solid and hydraulic lifters, so not trying to get into a which one's better ordeal.

Here's the deal. I bought my first air-cooled VW in around 12 years recently, a 79 bus. Don't know the history of the engine but just rebuilt the entire FI system. Runs very smooth, plenty of power, oil and cylinder head temps are fine, compression good.

I'm used to the lifters pumping up after sitting for a bit but cylinder 4 is taking about 3-4 miles which I don't like. Can I replace the single lifter? I know it wears to the cam. What about removing and rebuilding and cleaning the current one? I'm not tearing the whole engine apart. Just never replaced lifters except with a new rebuild.

[my59]

I'd pull that lifter, take it apart, clean it and reassemble. Bleed it in a can of clean oil, change oil in engine, reassemble and see how it goes.
Take a look at cam lobe wear while it's out.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[my59]

I'd pull that lifter, take it apart, clean it and reassemble. Bleed it in a can of clean oil, change oil in engine, reassemble and see how it goes.
Take a look at cam lobe wear while it's out.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[aeromech]

I think that’s good advice
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
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VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
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Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Wildthings]

Lifters start out with their face being a bit convex and will wear flat and then concave. At the point when they are flat they will not cause excess wear to the cam, but once they become even slightly concave the cam-lifter wear will accelerate. You can have your old lifters refaced or you can replace them.

[SGKent]

[Mispeld]

I had the same exact issue last week. Cleaned it and it would work for a day or two. Ended up replacing it. Only takes about 30 min.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=699859&highlight=

[buckswilde]

Thanks guys. Think I 'll inspect and go from there. They all pumped right up this morning in about 10 seconds. Hopefully that trend continues.

[Randy in Maine]

Helps to use an oil filter with a check valve they claim. I use a NAPA gold myself.

[buckswilde]

Thanks Randy. I'm running a Bosch. Will have to reference the check valve. Appreciate your help with the cold start valve as well.