Heya-

I was thinking about this today, and I never have come up with a good
conclusion as to what it may have been, and I never have seen anyone else
write about it.

When I was driving my '86 Vanagon, I remember that some times there would be
a very harsh metallic knocking sound when the engine would start. At first I
thought that it may be low on oil and then would shut down the engine
immediately, check the oil- everything fine. sometimes it would simply go
away, sometimes it would come on and stay on until the engine was completely
warmed up (sitting in the driveway with no stress on it other than idle.)

This would happen so rarely, that I wasn't concerned about it- once every
two- three months. sometimes with fresh oil, sometimes with medium and
sometimes near oil change time.

any ideas what that problem may have been? any ideas on how I would have
fixed it?

just curious...

thanks!

Myles