PROBLEM FIXED.
Popped the engine hatch and had a friend in the back trying to locate the noise as we went around the block a few times in the snow.Found that the exhaust at #2 was loose,could move the gasket.Tightened,noise dropped by half,van runs better.On our way to Can. Tire, our theory of a loose exhaust was shot down by a knocking sound.Next day,the sun was shining,the rain had washed the snow away that night,so up on ramps went the van.Checked the exhaust system-OK.Checked the CVs,umm,drivers side wheel CV makes a sound different to the others.Out comes the drivers side axle,then I cut my finger on a broken piece of the ball cage as I was exameing the CV.CV replaced,greased,refitted,out for a test drive-NO KNOCKING NOISE (touch wood).
Not bad-I fixed 2 problems,1 I knew I had,1 I didn't.I must own a Vanagon.
GerryR
PS Excuse the slow typing-bit difficult with a finger wrapped in a Band-Aid.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: gerry rafferty 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 8:32 AM
  Subject: Intermittent knocking/rattle sound

  This week I started to get a intermittent metallic knocking/rattle sound that lasts a couple of seconds when I go into 3 gear.It occurs in the first 5 minutes of driving,I think it's doing it in 4 gear but I sense it rather than hear it.It appears to be coming from the Drivers side of the engine department.I've checked the eng compartment,CV and rear tyres lugs for tightness-OK.Average temp. here is 5C.
  One thing I did notice last night, when I pushed the clutch in-sound disappeared,clutch out-sound reappears.
  Clutch problem?
  Any ideas welcomed.
  GerryR

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