If you can hear a WB knocking, you have a serious problem. This engine
is designed to be knocking and ping resistant so it can remain floored
and revved for extended periods without meltdown. That is why the HP to
displacement ratio is so poor. First thing to check is the ignition
timing. That is the most likely cause. Next, make sure coolant is
flowing through all the hoses. The hose connections at the ring around
the engine compartment will sometimes get clogged. Then you can have hot
spots in the heads. This is common especially with the plastic loop.
Make sure those small hoses get hot shortly after start up. If one stays
cold, coolant is flowing. Next check would be spark plug type, then the
fuel injectors or possible vacuum leak. Maybe you have a lean cylinder.
Last possibility is maybe you have piston slap.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Michael Diehr
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 6:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Knock & Ping?

Hi Folks,

I have a new engine still in the break-in period, nearly to the 500
mile oil change.

I've started driving it harder, but I'm worried that I'm hearing
knocking / pinging under load at high RPMs.   I'm very familiar with
how the VW inline-4s sound when pinging, but not so sure about the
wasserboxer.   Are they prone to it like the i-4s?  The sound i'm
hearing is pretty subtle, but that may be due to road noise covering
it up.

If it's not pinging, is there some other high frequency noise that
might be coming at very high throttle / high load?