Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 06:15:31 -0800
Reply-To: "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: firestone lube special
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Susan,
If you are going to "one of those places," or to change oil in any
location, I suggest that you always use a Mann or other (OEM) filter
W719/12...NB the number, (I pay about $5.00 from List providor) Or, if
you are a purist, a VW-dealer supplied (OEM) filter (about $14.00) The
number means that the filter has a valve which keeps oil "up" in the
hydraulic valves and prevents the hydraulic valve clatter (and wear)
which occurs when oil drains from the valves while the vehicle sits.
Mobil has a similarly-specificationed filter, (about $10.00) as does
Deusch, (about $3.00) both of which you can get at Autozone, not in
California, but as a matter of fact, in Texas. Additionally, be aware
that in too many cases the lads at the fast food filter locations don't
know, or care, about the delicacy of the oil drain plug on the Vanagon
engine, and the result, in all too many cases, is a stripped oil plug,
and all of the hassle that involves. There is much talk of Helicoils
and other fixes on the List for errantly-seated oil plugs as a result of
improper installations.
If you are not too sick, lame or lazy, buy an oil filter wrench, (the
banded type to fit a VW filter,) five quarts of oil, such as 20-50,
which I use all year in a warm climate, "soft copper washers, a 13-mm
socket, and DIY...do it yourself, or have a helper learn the process.
But beware the "loss-leader" oil change offers. They are-too-often-a
prelude to more "needed" work, or work on a vehicle about which the
fixers usually know less than the consumer.
See busdepot.com or vanagain.com, for example, for sources of the
filters, other than at the FLAPS (friendly local auto supply store,) or
at VW. I've bought from both outlets, and both are good operations with
fair prices and good service.
Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia
Susan Bernavich wrote:
>
> ok,,,, forgive me if this sounds like a silly question....if I go to one of
> those places to have my oil changed ...I should bring my own filter right???
> where should I get it???? From one of the vendors on the list???? thanks
> Susan Bernavich
>
> McComas_Glenn wrote:
>
> > Hugo ---
> >
> > Last month I bought a 1987 Vanagon with a rod knock. The prev_owner had
> > taken it to a Jiffy Lube, where they crossthreaded the drain plug. Then he
> > took it to a mechanic, who put in a helicoil, but may have treated the chip
> > problem too lightly. Not long afterwards, the engine developed a rod
> > knock...... perhaps from metal chips, or from the control-label filter used
> > at Jiffy Lube?? Would you want this scenario??
> >
> > On the other hand, if you know the folks who work at the Firestone and they
> > let you supply the filter, and they let you replace the drain plug, then
> > maybe it's worth doing.
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