Was it the engine or the power steering system? The power steering noises can probably be corrected with Synthetic ATF and a filter change. VW changed the PS fluid recomendation from ATF to the Audi type fluid to address this issue. Again, I have found the synthetic stuff work just as well.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: mordo
Date: Monday, February 5, 2007 9:54 am
Subject: Very cold 2.1l groans in complaint
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> It got down to 7F in Balto this morning. I was anticipating that
> the bus
> would not like to be awakened. The starter cranks just fine but
> upon firing,
> something is making a distinctive noise of complaint.
>
> It sounds sort of like "whoooeeeuuszz." It has twice done this
> and sound
> quiets down when I drive away slowly and gently, eventually
> disappearingwhen the engine reaches operating temperature.
>
> Anything to be concerned with or just the normeal sound of an
> old, cold
> engine?
>
> My heating oil ran out overnight as well. The house was 46F
> inside. So much
> for "automatic delivery." To the oil company's credit, they
> arrived within
> an hour of my call and came in and bled the air and primed the pump.
>
> --
> mordo
> 1990 Carat
>