This unidentified sound has stumped me, my vw mechanic, and a
transmission specialist.

I own a happy, silver 86  Vanagon GL with automatic transmission and
115k
on the original engine.
For two months I have been driving around with this strange sound ...
hoping it would go away.  Luckily it doesn't seem to have gotten worse,

but it hasn't disappeared. Here is what happens:

When the van has been warmed up (driven 5 miles or so) and I apply the

brake, a ticking (tapping) sound can be heard from the
engine/transmission area.  The noise is at a constant rate, which seems

to be at the speed of the crankshaft.  The sound disappears when the
car comes to a stop, and does not reappear until I apply the brake
again after driving around.  The rate of the sound does not change as
the vehicle slows down.  This sound can also be heard for a short
interval when I put the van in reverse.

My VW mechanic looked it over and said that he did not think it was the

brakes or exhaust, and that I should take it to a transmission
specialist as it may be the torque converter.  So, I went to the
transmission specialist who isolated the sound with a stethoscope to
the area of the transmission meeting the engine.  This is where the
torque converter is; however, he would not commit to it being the
converter.  All he would commit to was that the problem is with the
engine or the transmission. He said the only way to find out if it is
the transmission is to remove the tranny ($450) and take a look.  I'm
not that excited about spending $450 for a "Who wants to Be a
Millionaire" 50/50 lifeline.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Todd Parsnick
86 Vanagon
66 Beetle