Popped the engine hatch and had a friend in the back = trying to locate the noise as we went around the block a few times in the = snow.Found that the exhaust at #2 was loose,could move the gasket.Tightened,noise = dropped by half,van runs better.On our way to Can. Tire, our theory of a loose = exhaust was shot down by a knocking sound.Next day,the sun was shining,the rain had = washed the snow away that night,so up on ramps went the van.Checked the exhaust = system-OK.Checked the CVs,umm,drivers side wheel CV makes a sound = different to the others.Out comes the drivers side axle,then I cut my finger on a = broken piece of the ball cage as I was exameing the CV.CV = replaced,greased,refitted,out for a test drive-NO KNOCKING NOISE (touch wood).

Not bad-I fixed 2 problems,1 I knew I had,1 I = didn't.I must own a Vanagon.

PS Excuse the slow typing-bit difficult with a = finger wrapped in a Band-Aid.

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 = 8:32 AM

Subject: Intermittent = knocking/rattle sound

This week I started to get a intermittent metallic = knocking/rattle sound that lasts a couple of seconds when I go into 3 gear.It occurs in the = first 5 minutes of driving,I think it's doing it in 4 gear but I sense it = rather than hear it.It appears to be coming from the Drivers side of the engine department.I've checked the eng compartment,CV and rear tyres lugs for = tightness-OK.Average temp. here is 5C.

One thing I did notice last night, when I pushed the clutch = in-sound disappeared,clutch out-sound reappears.