I read a couple of posts about knocking 617s, so here's mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1mEotCVSUg

This is the car I bought for $400, not even knowing if it was running. I did a compression test (320-300-340-300-320), adjusted the valves, had the injectors tested (all good) and I'm assuming that the diesel I bought at the local Gulf station is good. What do you think? Sounds like a rod bearing to me...

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'99 S420, 155k
'91 VW Vanagon GL, 150k
'85 VW Vanagon GL, 120k
'82 VW Westy, aircooled, 165k