Thread: An VW experts here? Air cooled 2.0L engine Q. Nasty Ticking noise.

Isn't that why they are called "Dacka Dacks" after the strange noise they make.

Garry

Sure is, but this is more than that. I have a Karmann Ghia too, so am used to the VW air-cooled noise.

I have been reading this: Hydraulic Lifters

Seems like oil changes are very important on these engines. My Kombi has spent most of the last 2 years laid up in a garage (it only has 108,000 genuine KMs on it). Maybe the first thing to do is to get some fresh oil into it, and see if that improves things.

I'm more thinking that it's the hydraulic valve lifters that might be the issue.

Kharman Ghia! Very nice!

I also thought that ticking noise was normal. Mind you Stan Pobjoy extractors fixed that noise in mine.

Originally Posted by spudboy

My Kombi has spent most of the last 2 years laid up in a garage

If the car has been laid up for a few years ... Then, yea ... It's the ol' collapsed lifter gag

Just start it and go for a 3 miniute drive ... Leave it in 2cnd gear and run it at 2000 rpm ..... Shut the motor down and let it rest for 5 miniutes ... Start it and drive it again

The noise should start to disappear as it pumps up again ...

(You may have to do it a couple of times to get it pumped up)

Mike

Mike - I have started and stopped it a few times, and gone for a short run around the farm (it is not registered ATM). I'll do that a couple more times tomorrow and see if that improves things.

I read on a VW forum this remedy:
- Add ATF to the oil
- Go for a short run
- Drain oil and refill with new

Any idea if this is a smart idea? I would be guessing that the ATF is thinner than engine oil and might clean out some of the gunk in the valve lifters. Seems an easy thing to try (as i am going to change the oil anyway) but don't want to damage anything.

Originally Posted by spudboy

Any idea if this is a smart idea?

Not really ....

Thin / cheap Black & Gold oil would do a wash out also .... (at least the bottle "claims" it's engine oil)

I take it that it is a single TAP TAP TAP noise in tune with the revs

Basically when you turn the motor off ... Some of the lifters are in a compressed state (Valves open) .... The oil in these lifters have bled out, and can be a pain to re-pump up and bleed the air out of them

Most times ... a couple of warmed motor runs at 2500 RPM brings em back up
Trick is to drive it for 3 or so minutes with rests between

I have a Ford in the shed ... and the above is what I do if it hasn't been used for a long time



But sometimes they just won't pump up, and replacement is the only choice

Mike

I think that if one of them is stuck like that you may as well spend your time replacing it. Pat

Spudboy

How many cars have you got?

Still have that prime merc you recently bought with the funny smell?

I have owned 5 Kombis in the past but none with Hydraulic lifters.
Didn't even know they had them.

My valves were at times a bit sticky if not used much and a good drive did clear them.

A company I used to use for advise is/was intervolks on Main North Road.

Not sure if still there though.
Hope u get it sorted.