Lifters and valves make clacking noises. Rods definitely knock with a deeper
pitch.

John Rodgers
88GL Driver

Max/Joyce Wellhouse wrote:

> Okay, for the sake of stats, here's my situation.   90GL  I'm the third
> owner  Bought it at 106k  redid heads at 109k.  Much evidence of shade tree
> mechanical engineering prior to my purchase.  Idiot PO replaced one side o
> fthe piston rings when he pulled the heads prior to my purchase.
> Compression after the Boston Bob rebuilt heads didn't change( is low and
> somewhat lopsided ) and the oil pressure under 100 degrees C. still pretty
> much follows the 10 psi/1000rpm guidelines.  Above that temp it does dip to
> about 25 psi at 3500 rpm.  Yes my savings account is a work in progress, but
> still kicking around tapping the 401K and getting a new TDI and converting
> or going the Lilly route and the HalTech FI from Gene Berg.  I didn't
> realize(thanks to Robert L. for the enlightenment) that the WBX intake bolt
> pattern was the same as type I which should make finding throttle bodies for
> the WBX a lot easier in Berg's catalogue.  Infiniitely programmable FI!!!!
> What a concept.
>
> Anybody out there have hints on how to tell the difference in sound between
> noisy lifters and a rod or two knocking?
>
> dimwitted Moose and Flying Squirrel
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JordanVw@aol.com <JordanVw@aol.com>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2000 10:35 AM
> Subject: WBX failure rate averages so far.. keep up the responses!
>
> >In a message dated 8/29/00 6:45:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> >mark_hb@hotmail.com writes:
> >
> ><< Whats the tally on rod failures at this point? Are you going to
> calculate
> > the average mileage and note the high and low points for rod failure? Then
> > draw us a bell shaped curve? And reveal the secrets of the high milers?
> >  >>
> >
> >LOL ..well, to no suprise it seems like most 2.1L failures are between
> >150-200k mi. (some more, some less)  the failures for the 1.9L are averaged
> >after 200k mi..results are still coming in.. i guess its hard to make
> >generalizations, as some people have driven their vans easy, and have been
> >methodical with their maintenance, while other vans have been used rather
> >hard..   tho things like running the proper coolant has nothing to do with
> >the rod failures..
> >everyone, keep up your input, this is benefitial to all..
> >chris