Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 23:35:13 -0700
Reply-To: "Ken W." <kokopellis@att.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Ken W." <kokopellis@att.net>
Subject: Normal oil temp // Nevada trip report, etc.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Howdy,
I have a temp gauge installed in my 82 2.0 Aircooled. I live in the
Utah. I have installed an aux. oil cooler with a fan to help cool but
when it is 100+ outside, the oil still gets pretty hot in an aircooled
engine.
I just got back from a trip to Lake Tahoe from Salt Lake over the 4th of
July. 500 miles each way. I had just installed the Petronix Electronic
Points immediately prior to the trip. They worked flawlessly and I look
forward to no more Points BS. The van started better than before. It
seems it runs a little hotter with the electronic points Does anyone
have a grip on whether the gap of the magnetic pick-up could affect
("dwell") and maybe engine temp. We actually broke 20 MPG, with a nice
tail wind coming home. We never paid more than $1.93/gal and avoided
stations with gas > $2.00.
The new (used) captains chairs that I picked up from a local Park City
Listee worked great. Much better than my original 82 seats. Gotta love
those arm rests.
Going west on I-80 from Salt Lake we hit several large thunderstorms
with strong head winds causing max speed in the 50s at times. Temps
pushed 240 - 250 on major uphills. Of course it was fairly warm out
(mid-90s). Once night fall came it cooled down to 210- 220. I believe
220 is normal operating temp for this engine. We had planned to leave
at 5 am but ended up leaving about 12 noon due to the install of the
electronic points. Worth the wait, but we had to drive the mid day
heat.
My dad flies planes and thinks 220 degrees is high. Of course he flies
at a higher altitudes (cooler) with air flowing over the cooling fins at
a much higher speeds. Not quite the same as the vanagon's cooling
putting along at 60 - 65. I have seen mine as high as 265 for short
periods. On long road trips, I tend to try and drive at night in late
July, August, and early Sept.
I think as long as it cools down promptly after being stressed by a long
uphill it is OK. I try to change the oil promptly after treating it to
such high temps.
The van ran fine the entire 1200 miles and when I pulled into my
driveway after the Lake Tahoe trip, I immediately drained the oil and
treated it with a fresh dose of 20-50. Probably only had 1500 miles on
the old it but it broke 250 for a fair time on some hills.
Am I wasting money here??
On another, trip in another time and place, I have pulled off in
Winnemucca, NV for the afternoon because it was 105 outside causing
reduced cooling. At least it's a good reason to hit the casinos and
have some food.
Looking forward to the 10 hour drive to Burningman coming soon to a
playa near you in late August.
Ken Wyatt
82 westy
slc, ut
Any Salt Lakers heading to the Bman??
