Your 1.9 is just broken in. It is the 2.1 that throws the rod .I have heard
from several sources that the glorious 1.9 can be good for 300K.It just
takes 100 years to go that far in a Vanagon equipped as such. Go westy says
they see them with 295K ,or more,often. This is Go Westy I am talking
about.The people that want to sell you a new engine ,yesterday.Also, I have
heard from African people,at car auctions,that the mighty 1.9 is good for
300K.They buy Vanagon parts and load them into Vanagons,and ship them to
Africa.Africans dont have money,so they know.

My 1.9 has 197K. As it approaches the 200K milestone,I might change the
oil. I did have head gasket leaks ,starting at 150K(when I bought it).
Currently,I have removed both gaskets and uglyed up the gasket mating
surface(it is now shiney)with a dull drill bit.I squeezed RTV high temp
aroung where that old gasket was.Then I backed it up with good ole JB Weld
stick all the way around. That was at 190K . Works good,so far.Remember me
complaining and whining,and griping about this last winter?

Maybe you just had a leaky valve lifter or a piece of dirt got caught in
the lifter.Drive it till it blows,if you live that long.