Karen, if you are having an exhaust leak an easy way to see it is to go
out in the chill of the morning (in Canada I suspect you are still
having these) and start the van.  Now look at the engine.  If there is a
leak you should see white condensation smoke coming from the spot and
you can investigate further.  Let us know what you find.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Lucky7Steel wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> My 85 vanagon has been making kind of loud noices but on and off the past
> few months. Yesterday it was super loud in the am and then quiet on the way
> home hours later. Then it lost power when i was reversing. Drove home fine
> after two restarts though.
> I'm guessing it's probably the Catalytic converter? cant see any muffler
> holes but who knows. Wondering if it sounds like anything else?
>
> ~karen~
> (in Toronto so if anyone has a good mechanic, mine have all retired!!)
>
>