Mark-

Coby wrote:
"<<<SNIP>>> I maintain that as a diagnostic measure STP of other heavy duty
viscosity booster is the thing that is going to pump that lifter up. Marvel
mystery oil is not that sort of a thing, <<<SNIP>>>"
>>>>>>>>>>>

True, but Marvel is highly detergent, easily loosening the crud that sticks
lifters, allowing the oil to flow again, and *pump you up*. Further, in my
experience, I have found adding lighter oil (like 5w30) to be most
effective in pumping up a bum lifter. The thinner oil squishes into the
lifter more easily, I suppose. (Make sure you switch your oil back to 20w50
ASAP, before any highway driving).

Coby also wrote:
"If you find a bad lifter it is possible to remove it, disassemble it,
clean
and fill it with oil and reinstall it. You've got to destroy the pushrod
tube to do this <<<SNIP>>>"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NOT true. On air-cooled vans like yours, Mark, the push rod tube simply
exits and reinstalls through the head. You WILL want to replace the seals
on that tube.

Happy motoring,

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

-----Original Message-----
From:   Coby Smolens [SMTP:cobys@WELL.COM]
Sent:   Monday, June 07, 1999 11:45 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: Tapping sound

Sure sounds like a lifter to me, <<<snip>>>