Re: Tow Motors

[PDQSHIP@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-10-03 17:34:34 EDT, you write:

<< I recall a debate on this earlier a while back.  I had the same 
 problem, but a number of folks basically said to just live with it, 
 they won't cause any problems. One lister posted his story of actually 
 spending the $$ replacing them only to have the clainking again a short 
 time later.
 
 Seems like the repsonses now practically all say to get them replaced 
 and that noisy lifters can cause problems.  Now I am confused!!
  >>
Yes and no....  A noisy lifter means that chances are, it is prolly not
riding on the cam lobe properly, causing valve float and low and hi rpm,
depending on the severity of the situation....  The best thing to do is to
get the valve cover gasket, pull the cover off and do the "bentley/audi" test
which is basically to push down on each lifter....  There should be no "play"
in the lifter, if there is, it needs to be replaced, if not, live with the
noise till you get play, I assure you it is a when situation, esp post
100k.....  My understanding is that thousands of these lifters are in
stock(app: vw, audi, bmw's + some - all Hyd), and that sometimes you can get
a bad one (surprise?!), or that the clacking you here could be the exh man,
or a valve that is not seating properly, and not the lifter.....  I had one
or two that still had valve lifter noise after replacement, but the low idle
quality and the hi end definitely had a more exact feel to it, much less
lumpy, and worth every penny of the R&R.....

my .02 

Scott