I have been had the same problem. Today I heard a crack and my engine stalled. I t is frozen and will not start. i believe it is the rod failing. prior to this I had the same symptons for about a year. Then I had gas in the oil. Iwas told to pinch off the gas line and drain the oil. Then start the engine with the pinched line until it stalled. Then release the line and start. I did this and it ran fine, then ruff, then it stalled.
disctran@earthlink.net
June 2004