oh man ..
if it's a normal waterpower engine,
with hydraulic lifters, no , you should not hear them clattering.
it's normal for them to clatter a little after having the van sit for a
while...say two weeks.
No big deal. Sometimes a hydraulic lifter cleaner treatment is appropriate
in the oil.
but what is normal....is no lifter clatter at all.
If you have stock hyd. lifters.....the bloke doesn't know what he's talking
about.
Probably thinking of old air-cooled Bus and Bug engines with solid
lifters..
and if those are 'too quiet' .......that can indicate they are too
tight, and that IS a real problem.
I'll bet a pint he didn't ever realize you engine is water-cooled.
you should carry a jug of 50/50 anti-frz/water mix ..
well marked of course...to add coolant as needed.
It shouldn't really use any ..
though often they use a little out of the license plate bottle
gradually..
like a cup or two in say 3 or 4 weeks.
that's common......but they really should not 'use' a drop of coolant.
Get a copy of the Bentley manual for T3 VW vans ..
and read the rocker arm screw adjustment procedure ...
so you know about it.
That is only done on a newly assembled engine...and follow up on a new
engine after say 500 miles..
'normally'.....
you never have to adjust the rocker arm screws.
Where the book says '1 1/2 turns after contact' ......
some engine builders say only 1/2 turn.
I probably do them to 1/2 to
3/4 of a turn , after rocker arm contact valve stem..
And seldom ever find a need to, and I work on T3 vans exclusively full
time. Dozens and dozens a year.
Usually, you never need to do it.
They do get clattery sometimes..
firing up the van to move it 50 feet ...then shut it off..
do that 4 times in a row..and sometimes that'll get the lifters clattering
for a while.
good clean oil is the main requirement that hyd. lifters have.
Be careful about what you hear out there.
Good o' ya to check in here on
the list ..
to help keep you on track.. ...........to Syncro Success !
Scott
Oregon, USA
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 3:08
PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Travelling
Essentials
Hi Guys,
Can anyone give me some advice on what to take as emergency
spares when on the open road for the next 2 weeks. The service is due in
another 3oookm, all seems pretty good engine wise at the moment. Do you top
the cooling system up with H2O or coolant when on the go? Ive had the syncro
for 2 months and am learning about this great machine all the time. This bloke
told me at the servo the other day that Im meant to hear the tappets chatting
away. He says the motor is too quiet. Is this true for the waterboxer or
should I be doing a tappet clearance check before I go. Appologies for not
being at Old Bar. The next meet is on my time planner. Have a good
one
Dave