Hi all, after advice on maintaining hydraulic lifters?
This is on a bay window kombi (type 4) motor.

Is there any regular checking you can do to see if everything is OK?

Also is there an easy way to check they were set correctly originally?

I have not checked the valves since I got this motor and want to make sure everything is good with the valve train.

Thanks

The whole point of hydraulic lifters is that they're self adjusting and there's nothing that you can do to them. As far as I know, you just put them in, and replace them if they wear out or start to stick.

Hydraulic lifters are self adjusting but still should be checked just that it's not required as frequently or as drastic when left. It is recommended so if there is any issues with the valve train, it can be repaired or adjusted before more major problems can occur.
To set the lifters, the proceedure is the same as for solid lifters, but when setting the actual clearance, hydraulics actually run with a preload, so first the adjustment is loosened to find zero lash (a good way to do this is by rotating the pushrod in your fingers, with clearance, it's easy, as it comes to zero as you adjust the tappet screw, you will feel the pushrod go tight), then you need to wind in the screw to your desired amount of preload. This is where the conjecture comes in. Even VW didn't make up thier mind as they changed the spec's over the years, but basically the preload is set somewhere between 1/4 and 2 full turns in on the adjuster screw. Set them all the same and next adjustment you can check them and see if nothing has moved. this is only relivant if you know what the previous setting was. I set mine to + 1 turn.

No maintenance

No Maintenance...Although....
Rebuilt type 4 VW engines have had a history of cam lobes going flat. Apparently if the lifters and cam are of different (rockwell) hardness they will wear rapidly. I am only going on what I have read on the type4 websites, forums etc.

Try reading this http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html 

and the lifter/valve adjust section here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151300 

Hi

Wasserboxer motors had them as well, they actually used the same lifters as a Type 4 motor but with a Type 1 style cam.

I found that they were prone to losing tension and clicking if a motor was repeatedly started and stopped as in a car yard or even moving a car out to wash it and then put it away again.

I found it best to not start the WBX unless you were going to drive it, I guess the same would apply to Type 4s.

Steve

Thanks for all the great replies.
I know the idea of hydraulics is no maintenance, but as pointed out it's only really true if you have a new motor and known history

Thanks Matberry, that makes sense!
I understand the conjecture on setting, my biggest fear with an aging type 4 motor is valves recessing and burning out a seat, if the cam wears I get ecessive clearence and I will hear it
1 turn sounds sounds like a good spot to me!

Mat, so if I understand it, you wind it out to be loose, there is a spring in there that extends the lifter fully??
Then as you adjust you determine how much adjustment in the lifter you use up so to speak?
So full travel/adjustment of the lifter must be more than 2 turns?

I have done around 15,000 klm on this motor and told it was in great condition when I got it, it has run fine so far, but figure i should understand how to keep an eye on the condition of the heads.
I'm just finishing a service now, so will do the valves at the next service
oh , the only thing I have noticed to date and I believe it's normal is a couple of times the car sat unused for ~2 weeks or so and the valves were rattily for a few minutes. It usually never sits for more than a few days unused and never rattles then

thanks again !!

1303steve, can't say I have ever had that problem!

Yep, Andy, you got it.

Cool, some fun to come then

Hmm,
My brother had two WBX's (2.1's). He did no maintenance on lifters, but had known service hostory on both, and they don't seem to suffer the same fait with the heads the aircooled ones do.
He did occasionally have noisey tappets if left extended periods unused, and often took 10-15min to go away.
He never had what you've described. Don't know how much of an impact oil pressure or oil type/weight has on the lifters performance?

Hi

He did have what I described, noisy tappets.

I never left my car undriven for any period of time but I soon learnt that I only started the car when it was going to be driven for a period of time otherwise the tappets would be really noisy for a while.

I had this issue with Rhoads lifters 1.4 rockers and a Berg cam and then a stock cam & lifters with heavier springs and 1.4 rockers.

Steve

Thanks all for your help.
411 came up for its next service, so have adjusted the lifters per Matt's recomendations (THANKS Matt!!))
All went well, seemed easy enough. Looks like they were all set to ~2 turns, so I hope everything is good if they are all about the same. At least I have a starting point, now I can check again after a few more services. Might check every 10-15k I guess.

The down side was one set of tappets were VERY noisey for ages before it all settled!! Got a bit worried but they have come good again now.

Well, a week of driving and all is well, everything all going to plan.
Maybe I should conver the kombi to hydraulic also