Kevin:
It's possible you have some water in your fuel.  Try opening the fuel
filter drain and see if any water comes out.  Just a little bit of
water can cause loud knocking and loss of power.  Drain just a little
into a cup.  If there's any water (it's usually pretty obvious) drain
until you get fuel and then try the engine again.  If no apparent
water, you may have a mechanical problem, such as the jumped timing
belt mentioned by others.

Maynard
'86 DoubleCab Diesel "Col. Potter"
'02 EV GLS "AMPvan"
'00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"

On Thursday, September 18, 2003 3:56 PM, "Ahlgrim, Kevin L"
<kahlgrim@IUSB.EDU> wrote:
> I just joined the list and wanted to introduce myself.  I have been
> on
> the type2 list for some time now owning several baywindows but last
> Friday I picked up my first watercooled VW, first Vanagon.  I wanted
> a
> diesel for the reliability of the engine and the fuel economy.  I
> wanted
> a water cool for the heat this winter.  Picked it up drove it home
250
>
> miles ran great but is slow like everyone says they are.  Family
> loves
> it, drive it about another 250 miles and on my way to work Tuesday
> morning it dies at an intersection.  Starts back up and I drive to
> the
> next insection, it dies.  Can't get it to even turn over now so I
> push
> it off to the side.  My wife comes to jump start it and it starts up
> but
> now the engine sounds bad and you can hear a loud knocking sound.
>  Tow
> it home, change the oil, it's still knocking but not as loud.  The
> other
> thing I have noticed is that the knocking is louder on startup until
> the
> oil gets moving around in the engine.  So much for that reliability
> thing.   Any diesel owners out there with any suggestions.  By the
way
> I
> work in South Bend, Indiana and live in LaPorte, Indiana. =20
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kevin