Sonia, do you really have a knock or do you have a rattlety/clackety
sound. The rattlety/clackety would be valve related. Most likely the
hydraulic lifters wheich tend to leak down. A knock would most likely be
a rod bearing. If it's a knock,  you are going to need to teear down the
engine to get at the problem to fix it. If it's the valve lifter clatter
you are hearing, there are a number of things that one might do. A
proper oil filter ... Mahle is my choice ... will help. It has the
correct internal spring pressure to hold oil pressure in the galleries
so the lifters don't lose their oil and have to pump back up everytime
you drive.
This is a common fix. Others recommend running Marvel's mystery Oil in
with the rest of the oil. Haven't tried that one yet, but some list
members swear by it. And I do know first hand that Marvel's makes some
really good products. Just haven't tried that particular fix. You might
want to explore it further.

As for a knocking sound.....you really should have an experienced
mechanic  check it out.

Good Luck

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Sonia Johnson wrote:
>
> Thankyou to everyonewho offered suggestions on my engine revving problem
> a couple weeks ago. Now I have a new problem--knocking sounds in the
> engine.  This is an 87 vanagon I guess I'll probably have to take it in
> to the shop for this one, but I'd appreciate your opinions on what this
> could be.
>
> TIA
> Sonia J