----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben S" <phlogiston@ISPWEST.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wed 17 March 2004 23:40
Subject: is my engine done?

>SNIP tale of woe<

> what are some good vw shops up there?  i remember from some previous
> posts a reccomendation for ted's german auto... anyone have anythign
> else to say on that?  how likely is it that if i have rod knock my
> engine will blow up on a short, slow drive to a garage?
>
> thanks for any advice and watch out for trees!!
>
> Ben.

For Sacramento shop recommendations, try this link (thanks, Larry!):

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.html#california

As to driving the van, if you possibly can, get it towed.  Assuming it is a
rod knock (and it sounds like it is), that means that the rod is knocking to
ask to be let out - and if it does come out to play that would be "a very
bad thing".  And a very expensive thing, too.  Right now, if the engine
needs a rebuild, you MIGHT have a reasonably good core.  If you drive it,
well, it's like a bomb with a timer you can't see - you might make it, and
you might not.

In my opinion, (for what it's worth) if it were my van I would call the tow
company (or AAA).  Just  my $2 (inflation, you know).

HTH,
Don in Phoenix, AZ