I have a 92 jetta gl, and sometimes (it doesnt seem to depend on how long it sits or anything else i can tell) when i start it the lifters clatter for a couple seconds, then it runs normally. I dont like that very much, becasue nonne of the other ones i know of do that. Any ideas what could cause it?
Sounds like a lifter is bleeding down to me. Probably only happens when that valve is open when you shut it down. The valve spring pressure will collapse it. It will rattle until the lifter pumps back up. Probably crap in the check valve. You might try a quart crank case flush before the next oil change. It probably won't help, but it might. Fords are known for doing this if they sit for a while.
The oil filters fram makes for VW's lack the internal check valve that is necessary for these motors and will cause this issue. If your filter is orange get rid of it.
It has a napa gold filter, although in going to change the oil and filter tomorrow so i will have to see if the problem goes away with a new filter.
In reply to Travis_K:
If none of the other ones you know of do that, you must not know of very many others. I've owned a bunch of 8v VW's. They've ALL done it. Never got worse, never caused problems. Ignore it. You can try a better filter, you can try new lifters (pricey though), and you can try upgrading to the later 2.0 ABA oil pump. Any or all of these may fix the problem, but really, it's an annoyance. It won't ever cause you any grief beyond the noise.
I actually have a whole rebuilt head i could put on it, I bought it becasue it was a good deal and the engine thats in the car smokes quite a bit when its cold and uses a bit of oil. New lifters are about $15 each, so yeah, i guess thats a bit of money.
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