AH! yes, i called someone who was listed on the AIRS site who is near me (turns out he works for the guy who has the expensive VW shop, dang it!) but he did say if it was the rod, i would have a big hole in my crank case, i would not be able to limp it 180 miles, and i would be as you put it dead in the water. he said it is more likely that it is a bearing or..oh dang i forgot the other thing...

but can you possibly tell me if i can check to see if it is the fan myself? it is overheating a lot, the oil leak has not significantly increased. i thought at fisrt it had, but i just checked under the van and it really hasn't, it just drips more when it's overheated cause the oil on the engine heats off. it also blows greyoil smoke when it gets hot, boy that had me pretty excited till i figured out it wasn't engine blue, it was oil grey...whew! NO blue smoke.

it knocks when it gets hot, goes for about 50-60 miles (even up grades!) without the knock when i have let it cool overnight. i have been coasting down the grades to get here. that worked well.

the knocking itself does not seem to have gotten any more persistent or extreme in the 180 i have driven it. it is also very inconsistent, except under a load. it'll be knocking, then stop; it will knock, i'll change accelerator pressure, it will stop for a little while. if i have let it sit overnight, it knocks loud a few times when i first start and then nothing for the next 20-30 miles at least.

i was advised to put in a very heavy oil, to drain out some of the oil in it now and add a heavy duty oil and then top it off so the pressure is a little high, if i have to drive it around at all.

i can also buy another vehicle, i am looking at a funky 4wd toyota that has no camper or tailgate, ugh, such a step down for a lifestyle traveller who is used to having a little home on wheels! but at 1,000, the toyota is reliable and so far, cheaper than fixing my van.

im not a huge fan of the AC vanagons; they had a short run so parts are hard to get, but they are comfy to drive i know.

where is your van now? where are you looking for your next car? big cities offer more variety.

toyotas are usually good for 250-300K miles BUT if the toyota is an 83-89 with a carberator, and that carberator goes bad, the replacement cost of the carbs is VERY VERY high. This was the time when they were trying to meet rising emmisions requirements by retrofitting carbs with all kinds of fru-fra... best look for a Toyota that is fuel injected.

also ask when the last time the timing belt was changed.. they need to be changed every 60K, so if the gut says "I dont know" and the odometer says 180K, then add 400$ for a timing belt change.

The trucks are good travel vehicles... but if you could find one of those chinook camper conversions youd be way more comfortable.

well good luck on your search