At 02:59 AM 7/11/00 -0700, james peters wrote:
>Glad Gerry is back!
>My 1980 2.0 Vanagon is making a deep knocking sound. It just happened today
>when I started it. I last used it on Friday, only sat two days.
>I recently (Nov 99) had the heads redone, and now I think its a rod knock.
>Is my engine toast?
>How can I really tell?
>Haven't done a compression test or anything yet, just hung my head and
>cried> :(
>Where to go from here?
Sounds loike either a very expensive noise or just a lifter tap (mine has
been really loud at times).  The way to tell is to change the oil and
install a correct oil filter (Mann/Malhe).  Be sure to put in 4.2 quarts of
oil and then start the van.  If it is an oil problem to the lifter this
should clear-up the noise after a little idling.  If the problem doesn't go
away/get much better, you may need to call Boston Bob and put in your order.

Good Luck
Chris Smith
'82 Westy - 250,000 miles, 3rd engine
'74 Thing - 41,000 miles 4th engine ... thanks GEX :(