That must have not been a connecting rod knocking in the engine because it
would have flown apart soon after.  Was the knocking related to wheel
speed?  I've had a knocking like that, which only happens when climbing
under full load.  It turned out to be a CV joint.
Edward

On Sun, Feb 14, 2016 at 10:38 AM, Spencer Allen <spencervw@aol.com> wrote:

> Thanks for all the feedback. My 85 is close to turning over 100K and has
> been well maintained. She's never liked stop & go traffic in summer and
> gets hot when creeping along. I run the heater when this happens and it
> seems to help. Going up those VA mountains I HAD to drop it down into 2nd
> to keep revs up. The engine knock this past summer was the first time it
> has happened and I didn't hear it again but then I didn't climb another
> super steep grade. The coolant system has been flushed twice in the last
> three years and a new water pump was installed. Don't have the overheating
> when cruising along. Other than climbing a mountain road in 90 degree temps
> is there any test to check if a new radiator is needed? Gotta love this
> list all the vanagon knowledgeable people in one place. Thanks.
> Spencer
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sat, Feb 13, 2016 6:20 pm
> Subject: Re: westys & climbing mountain roads
>
> ​RE: Overheating and Mountain Roads
> The '85 I drove had severe overheating problems until the radiator was
> replaced, a common problem.
> My '90 w/automatic tranny climbs hills in the slow lane too.  That's what
> 2nd gear is for :)  Keep the revs up so as not to lug the engine.
> And if the knocking in the engine is really there it might be time to start
> thinking about a new engine.  Put a rod through the case and no core value
> left, only a big towing bill.
>