Date:         Mon, 22 Jan 2001 08:38:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Robert Donalds <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Donalds <bostneng@FCL-US.NET>
Subject:      Re: any guesses on oil light woes
Comments: To: rangerbrian@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Brian Cochran wrote

But now I will really worry with that oil pressure light.  The light has

 been flickering after the engine gets warm.  Mostly at stops, sometimes
out
 on the highway there’s some flickering.  Yesterday, at a stop light,
the
 light came on nice and solid. A sickening feeling came over me.  I put
it in
 neutral and the light went out.  (sounds bad huh?)

 Here’s the stats that are driving me crazy:  I’m the seventh owner of
an 84
 westy.  Through research, I’ve discovered the engine is a 2.1L (MV
block #)
 and I’ve tracked down the VW dealership who installed it.  They said it
was
 a “new rebuilt with new crank, bearings....”  I didn’t ask for any
 additional info--maybe I should have??  There’s less than 70,000 miles
on
 this rebuild.

Brian
    Always start with testing the oil pressure at a warm idle after the
radiator fan has come on at least once 5 to 8 pds would be considered
normal unless you are running 20/50 oil in cold climates
I have taken many VOA rebuilds apart and I have seen that the they have
not always used rebuilt
rods in fact I have seen 1.9 and 2.1 in the same engine. the big end of
the 2.1 rods goes out of round over time and they should never be put
back in service without resizing the big end and replacing the bolts. at
this point there are no main bearings for sale to fit the 2.1 although
fast german auto offered me a set for $250 .You might consider
rebuilding the top end and replacing the rods and rod bearings without
splitting the case. I have rebuilt rods and bearings if needed.
    If you go to the front page of vanagon.com and go to problems and
look for the article thats posted there on this subject its called low
oil perssure at warm idle in it I explain the problem in detail
Bob Donalds
http://www.bostonengine.com
as always
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