Is this a hole in the engine of the van we’re about to take a road trip in?!

Factual Questions
1

Whoa, what the hell is this? I’m checking the tyre/fluid levels on our 1995 Mazda MPV. In three or four hours, we’re (theoretically) taking it on an 800-mile road trip for our last festival of the season. Maybe. Is that some sort of ugly vent hole or something? An otherwise innocuous but scary looking hole in a cover? The van has a pretty heavy valve knock, but other than that the last time it was at the mechanics (May of this year) everything seemed fine.

Should we be making alternate vehicle plans? Anyone want to lend us a Jeep?
Fest Van in happier times

2

Well if you are referring to that triangular shaped hole that is a heat shield and nothing is wrong there.
When you make reference to a

,
Well that would concern me.
Who told you it is a valve knock and not a wrist pin??

3

Looks like the cast iron exhaust manifold showing below a heat shield.

Start the engine. Do you have any exhaust leak? Does it sound different?

4

Not a car expert but that hole looks like it was made not blown out or rusted out given the right angles to the cut out area.

5

You mean the hole in the silver heat shield who -ha ?
Looks like its been cut open by others to get at something in the past.
Check the oil and fluids at each fueling and have a nice trip.

6

Oh wow, thanks.

::breathes tremendous sigh of relief::
I may be off on the valve knock. It’s not the rattly octane thing, it’s something else. Lifters? Yeah, lifters I think. Shoot, I can’t remember for sure. But the diagnosis came from our mechanic who also said it’s eventually going to be bad, but not worth the cost to fix in advance.
(The mechanic who won’t be on a road trip with us… going to check that our AAA is paid up.)

7

Like already said, just make sure the fluids are up to level and the tires have correct pressure.

I’m jealous, as I could really use a road trip. So enjoy yours!