Clicking valves again... and synthetics

[Steve Verona <vrona@infinet.com>]

While at the races this past weekend, another racer came over to talk to 
me about the 86 4kq.  It turns out he used to work for Audi in the mid 
80s.  He had noticed how loud my valves are and we got to talking.  He 
stated that according to Audi they should make noise when first started, 
but it should end quite soon.  I told him that mine click and then go 
silent until the first run of the day and then they click loud for the 
entire day.  I have changd the lifters and it did not help.

His advice was to switch back to non-synthetic oil.  He says that the 
synthetics do not work properly and that Audi discourages their use.  Is 
there any truth to this?  ANybody heard the same thing?  Does a clicking 
valve equal lost power? more wear? or both?

Steve Verona