A
>My 1.6 NA diesel was swapped in from a car by a PO.  The engine
>does not return to idle speed from higher RPM unless slowed down
>by braking.  The van will cruise at 30 MPH in 4th with foot off
>the accelerator.  If I hit the brakes, the engine will slow down
>to normal idle RPM.
>
>
        Sounds like time for a total funkadelic rebuild, my friend.  I had an 84
Jetta TD that did the same exact thing.  The cause was apparently the worn
ring syndrome, or combo of worn valve guides and seals, allowing the car to
run on oil blow-by or oil vapor (or something similar) and the darn thing
would not turn off and would continue to go faster and faster sometimes and
keep trying to wind up!  Scary, scary

        Rebuilt head, new rings, bearings, rebuilt turbo, she was wonderful until
the injection pump Lewinski'ed on me and started leaking.  Wish I had done
that at the same time.

        So, as the pro's say, Do it wunce, Do it RIGHT

Or spend the bucks to put in a real motor ala Ken Wilford of one of his
buddies on the 5 cyl conversion.  Now you are talking!  Increase the value
of your ride -- why not??  You will have to spend 'x' dollars anyway you
look at the situation, so why not spend a bit more, and end up with a much
much superior result and superior resale.
Ken, send my commission check when you a chance!
chow
HkS