Annoying Engine Tapping

[Jeremy R King <kingjer@eng.auburn.edu>]

About two years ago B.J. at "The Volkswagon Dr." told me that the 
annoying engine tapping noise in my GL5 was probably lifters.  $550 of my 
dad's money later (10 brand new lifters + labor), the noise persisted.  I 
took the car back, popped the hood and told B.J. it wasn't the lifters.  
He said, "Oh yeah, it could be the vaccuum diaphram."  That, indeed, was 
the culprit.  It's a diaphram (encased in metal) bolted on to the side of 
the engine.  There's a metal rod that bumps up against one of the cams 
that pumps the diaphram.  This creates vaccuum pressure for the brake 
assist and a coupla other things I think.  Does anybody have a clue what 
I'm talking about?  Is this just a VW thing on the Audi 5cyl?  

Usually it's fairly quiet as long as the oil level is good and the 
weather's not too cold.  But now that mornings are colder, it's starting 
to get louder.  I know it isn't hurting anything, but it's sooo 
annoying.  Does anyone know how to shut this thing up?

I've even taken it off and tried to adjust the huge bolt head that the 
rod bumps up against.  Any ideas?

Jeremy R. King
1986 VW Quantum GL5
Audi at Heart
                                ddd
                                 ddd    iii
                                  ddd   iii
                                  ddd
  aaaaaa    uuu    uuu      ddddd ddd   iii
 aaaaaaaa    uuu    uuu    dddddddddd    iii
aaa    aaa   uuu    uuu   ddd     ddd    iii
aaa    aaa   uuu    uuu   ddd     ddd    iii
aaa    aaa   uuu    uuu   ddd     ddd    iii
 aaaaaaaaaa   uuuuuuuuuu   ddddddddddd   iii
  aaaaaa aaa   uuuuuu uuu   ddddddd ddd   iii