hydraulic lifters in 2L '78 priming problems

[2type2]

After parking for more than a few days, the valves are noisy as heck until lifter primes. Is there a way to avoid or prevent this without running the motor daily? How common is this sitch?Any help? TIA

[keifernet]

Pretty common on higher milage engines or ones that the oil was not changed frequently enough to avoid sticky build up internally... or the lifters may be shot "collapsed" and need replacement...
This can be done without tearing down the engine as they come out of the case by pulling the rocker arms, push rods and pushrod tubes... But first you can try a few things....
First when was the last oil change?
What weight is it? How many miles on the engine??
At some point in the life of an older type 2/4 motor with hydrolic lifters they need re adjusting..... but first you need to see if you can get them unstuck and pumped up.... I would a quart of oil and put a quart of ATF in and run tht in there for a while...( 1 tank of gas? up to 500 miles with the ATF in will not hurt the motor) the detergent action in the ATF will help clean the lifters... Marvel Mystery oil works good as well.... )(you could put a few ounces in the gas as well, it helps to clean the fuel system and crabon deposits, not too much we don't want it to smoke like a 2 stroke!)
Then with the engine hot, drain the oil and clean the screen and plate and the filter and refill in (your choice here) 20w 50 or 40 wt... unless your expecting fall temperatures in the coming next few weeks, I don't know what climate your in....
If it does not stop the bleed down you could repeat the process again and or go on and try yourself to adjust the rockers but it is a messy and finger burning type of job! Maybe find a shop who knows how to do it...
*** it is not the same thing as "adjusting valves" on any other vw***

Also go to www.type2.com(on the left click "library") under the Hydrolic lifters....there is a more in depth look at the procedure than I can write for you here. Good luck.....

[flat4]

Good advice and let me add 2 cents being a Subaru owner. The engine is basically a "waterboxer" and I too have to deal with noisy lifters. If you don't have luck with kiefernets advise try a pint or maybe 2 of STP oil treatment. Its very thick so it takes a while of highway driving to disperse it through the engine, but once there, it has more stick than thinner oils and tends to keep the lifter pumped up longer. Definately try the thin stuff first to clean as much gunk out of the engine first. Good luck. as a last resort, turn up stereo to 11 and play side two of Led Zeppelin IV.

[2type2]

Thanks for the help. I gotta say this engine was a longblock i got from 'strictly german'
and it now has less than 3000 on it! Also oil changes were about 300 mi,750 mi, and then 2000. I drive a company truck so this surely isn't driven daily..more like camp trips, festivals,into the "big city'(heh heh)
and such. Oil is Valvoline 10-40. Perhaps a thicker oil? What weight. She runs about 220 after a goo stretch of hiway at 60 mph,which is about as fast as ill ever go on flats.

[keifernet]

Well, that doesn't sound good to me...
I don't think you need to try the advice I gave above as that is for higher milage engines... I wonder if they used "used" reground/reconditioned lifters or what...
I have no experience with that place so I won't trash them, they may not even build the longblocks they sell...
I think you should go to the type 2 website and try adjusting them.... or have someone who has done it do it for you...

I prefer "Lucas" brand oil supplement but STP will do and switch to 20-50 or maybe straight 40... but with the engine being newish it could just need a fine tuning adustment...

220 is getting up there. but considering the engine may not have completely "run in " at 3K it may drop a few degrees, the different oil may help as well... you have a guage... coolness... let us know the results.... K

[keifernet]

I was looking over some articles on www.type2.com and there is a link or you can go to www.bostonengine.com and check out their tech articles on the lifter scenario and other stuff....

[2type2]

Thanks Keifernet! I located and printed the article from Boston Bob.. wow what a technical info overload, but I think I'll be able to check my lifter performance with it.
I wonder tho' ..how many others have such probs. If anyone can offer some experience with solutions to this please bring it on! My '78 "Terrapin" , is a weekender and my joy when hitting the music festivals.I wonder if I should try driving her 10 or 20 mi. each night to see if the lifters hold pressure between runs.